Bangladesh continued to fight hard yesterday against more fancied opponents England and can move ahead in the first Test with a good performance today in Chittagong. Join The Roar for live scores of Day 3 from 3pm (AEDT).
After the Tigers came flying out of the gates on Day 1, reducing England to 3 for 21 at one point, they struggled to close it out with England’s middle and lower order springing to life.
By the end of the first day’s play, the tourists had reached 7 for 258 thanks to half centuries down the order from Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow before Chris Woakes hit 36 and ensure they would reach a competitive total of 293.
Given the way the pitch was turning, that score was looking a long way away for the hosts, but they knuckled down with the pitch becoming a lot easier to play on once a batsman was in.
At the end of the second day’s play, Bangladesh had reached 5 for 221 which left them just 72 runs behind, but given the way the pitch is playing and that they will have to bat last they must get a first innings lead to be a chance.
Still, given they were expected to get blown out even at home, their performance has been fantastic. Like England, they had a shaky start getting reduced to 2 for 29 before opener and key player Tamim Iqbal settled in and made 78.
While partners fell around him, the experience of Mahmudullah (38) and Mushfiqur Rahim (48) saw partnerships built and England’s attack thwarted.
Their spinners simply didn’t do a good enough job and it continues a trend for the tourists – with their spin bowling stocks struggling.
Shakib Al Hasan then batted through to stumps finishing on 31 not our although the wicket of Rahim right on the stroke of stumps hurts big time.
Al Hasan will be joined by Shafiul Islam at the start of the third day, and the pair must erase most of the deficit before they lose another wicket if Bangladesh are to stay in this match.
Day 3 prediction
Al Hasan was looking solid at the end of yesterday, and if he can get back win with Shafiul at the other end then they can hope to build a substantial first innings lead.
Patience is the key for both sides when batting, but the English batsmen must get a better start to their second innings when they inevitably get the chance – although that doesn’t look likely.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of Day 3 in this enthralling Test match from 3pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to get involved by dropping a comment in the box below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
England's chances of retaining the Twenty20 World Cup have been hit for six with the news Ben Stokes has opted out of selection for…
Bazball was developed as a strategy devised to use the resources efficiently rather than revolutionize the system.
England's tour of India has ended in abject fashion as the tourists were hammered by an innings and 64 runs inside three days, with…
India have bowled England out for a below-par 218 and cruised to 1-135 in reply to seize early control of the fifth and final…
India have accomplished a nervy run-chase to secure a five-wicket victory against England in the fourth cricket Test in Ranchi. Chasing a modest 192…
In the build up to the India vs England Test series, there were reasonable predictions that India would be the ultimate challenge for Bazball.…
