Pakistan looking at a first-innings total of 400-450 – Khurram Shahzad

Pakistan pacer Khurram Shahzad said on Saturday that they are eyeing a first-innings total of 400 to 450 in Sylhet, adding that the surface is far more batting-friendly than the one used in Dhaka.

The visitors, trailing 1-0 in the two-match Test series after losing the opener, ended the day on 21/0 in reply to Bangladesh's first-innings total, still trailing by 257 runs. Openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal were unbeaten on 13 and 8 respectively at stumps.

"This pitch is very different from Dhaka. In Dhaka, the pitch had a lot of cracks – there was up and down and uneven bounce. Here, it seems like a lot of runs can be made. So if we get a good partnership, we will try to score 400 or 450," Shahzad said.

Despite Pakistan spreading the field when centurion Litton Das was counterattacking, Khurram insisted they maintained an attacking approach.

"No, we attacked him quite a lot. Two or three chances were created off my bowling. One was a caught-behind that hit the gloves. Another catch opportunity at square leg was dropped. When you bowl attackingly, runs also flow," said Khurram.

Bangladesh had slipped to 116 for 6 before Litton led the recovery, and Khurram admitted dropped chances proved costly.

"They were 6 down for 116. Litton Das played very luckily today. Two chances were created. If those had been taken, the result could have been totally different. Maybe they would have been bowled out under 200. We cannot change past decisions now. We must ensure we do not repeat these mistakes in the second innings," he added.

Khurram, who picked up four wickets after replacing Shaheen Afridi, said he is always prepared to contribute while backing Pakistan's four-man pace attack.

"We bowled them out even with four bowlers. Our combination is fine. As professionals, we always keep ourselves prepared. My focus is on what is in my hands – to follow the process, keep training, and whenever I get the opportunity, give my best for Pakistan," he concluded.