Hafeez's double ton steers Pak to commanding 537-5 against Bangladesh at stumps on day three

Opener Mohammad Hafeez struck his maiden double ton on Thursday as Pakistan reached 537-5 in reply to Bangladesh's 332 at stumps on the third day of the first Test in Khulna.

Resuming at the overnight position of 227-1, Pakistan extended their advantage through a robust 227-run partnership between Hafeez and Azhar Ali for the second wicket. Ali was primed for his century as he scored 83 before he was bowled out by Shuvagata Hom.

Veteran batsman Younis Khan (33) then teamed up with Hafeez as the duo scored 62 runs for the third wicket before the former was removed by Taijul Islam.

Right-handed Hafeez made 224, which included 23 fours and three sixes, before he was dismissed off Hom's delivery.

Subsequently, a string of fifties from captain Misbah-ul-Haq (59), Sarfraz Ahmed (51 not out) and Asad Shafiq (51 not out) put the tourists to hold a commanding lead of 205 runs at the end of the day's play.

Taijul remained the lone bright spot for Bangladesh as the left-arm spinner scalped three wickets, including skipper Misbah's, for 116 runs.

The tourists finally enjoyed a successful day on an otherwise miserable tour, where they were whitewashed 3-0 in the one-day series and lost the lone T20 game against Bangladesh for the first time in a T20 international.