Shaheen Afridi not bothered by missing out on fifer

Lanky pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi took four wickets to help Pakistan dismiss Bangladesh for a paltry 233 on the opening day of the first Test in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Shaheen recorded figures of 4-53 in 21.5 overs and was ably assisted by fellow pacer Mohammad Abbas (2-19) and spinner Haris Sohail (2-11) to justify Pakistan's decision to send Bangladesh in to bat on a greenish-yellow Rawalpindi stadium pitch.

While talking to media at the end of day one, Shaheen said he was happy to do his part for the team.

"It's my role to get wickets and I am happy that I did that," said Shaheen, who played down not getting a five-wicket haul. "You aim at improving your figures but the beauty of Test cricket is that you don't always break records.”

"Other team also comes to play and it was unlucky that the last man got run out but it's always a team game," added Shaheen whose best figures of 5-77 came against Sri Lanka in December last year.

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The 19-year-old claimed his first wicket of the day by removing debutant Saif Hassan (nought) off the third ball of the match.

All-rounder Mahmudullah, who was shaping well with four boundaries in his 25, played a rash shot off Shaheen and was caught brilliantly at gulley by a leaping Asad Shafiq.

Haque (30) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (44) revived the innings during their third wicket stand of 59 before Haque miscued a drive and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Rizwan off Shaheen.

Shaheen concluded by revealing that Bangladesh were his favourite opponents as his best performance of 6/35 in one-day internationals (ODIs) also came against them.