CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh lost the top half of their batting order before tea as they chase 286 for victory against England on the fourth day of the closely-contested opening test at Chittagong on Sunday.
With captain Mushfiqur Rahim (22) and Sabbir Rahman (25) were at the crease, the hosts were 179 for five at the break, needing another 107 runs to win the first of two matches in the series.
England batted for about 20 minutes in the morning, adding 12 runs to their overnight second innings total of 228 for nine before they were bundled out for 240.
Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan finished with 5-85.
Openers Tamim Iqbal (nine) and Imrul Kayes (43) gave Bangladesh a decent start on a Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium pitch that offered plenty of turn and bounce for the spinners.
England captain Alastair Cook started with spin from both ends but did not see any success until the 10th over when Tamim was out to a bat-pad catch off Moeen Ali.
Kayes was the more attacking of the pair and he continued batting positively, adding 46 for the second wicket with Mominul, who was dropped on four by wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow off Moeen.
The left-handed Kayes was not afraid to hit the ball in the air against the spinners and also employed sweep shots, both conventional and reverse, to good effect to find six boundaries in his 61-ball knock.
However, he was out shortly before the lunch break trying to sweep leg-spinner Adil Rashid, the ball hitting his glove and looping to Joe Root at slip for a simple catch.
Mominul Haque (27) and Mahmudullah (17) both fell leg before to Gareth Batty, who is playing his first test after a gap of 11 years, shortly after the lunch break.
Shakib (24) then added 32 for the fifth wicket with Mushfiqur before edging Moeen behind to Bairstow.
Mushfiqur and Sabbir are the last recognised batting pair for the hosts and have added 39 for the unbroken sixth wicket, putting the pressure back on England.
Leave a Comment