Published: Aug 27, 2017, 11:57 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 27, 2017, 11:57 AM (IST)
Losing 3 wickets early on, Bangladesh were finally revived by the experienced duo of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan as the team posted 96 for 3 at lunch if the first Test against Australia at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. Bangladesh, who are playing Australia at home for the first time since 2006, won the toss on Sunday and elected to bat. Pat Cummins unsettled the top order in the very beginning of their innings, getting rid of Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes and Sabbir Rahman for cheap. At lunch, Shakib (48*) and Tamim (33*) remained unbeaten to take Bangladesh’s innings forward.
Sarkar, who opened with Tamim, went off the mark with a handsome drive on Sunday morning. However, he did not look uncomfortable playing against Cummins, edging one short delivery that lobbed just above the slip. He was dismissed the same over, off a similar delivery that moved away from him which he edged to the gully.
Imrul Kayes was the next man in the middle. Kayes, who played as an opener most of his career, was sent at No. 3 based on his recent form. He was Cummins’ second wicket of the day. This time, the delivery got the inside edge to land in Matthew Wade’s gloves as Kayes departed for a 6-ball duck. Cummins removed Sabbir Rahman, the new man in, the very next ball with a fuller length delivery which Sabbir edged to the wicketkeeper.
Tamim was joined by Shakib Al Hasan thereafter. The duo played with a lot of patience, putting their experience into it. Tamim even hit Nathan Lyon for a six, coming down the pitch. Boundaries were not too frequent, for they both looked to find their ground and lose no more wickets and finally posted a 50-run partnership.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh 96 for 3 (Tamim Iqbal 33*, Shakib Al Hasan 48*; Pat Cummins 3 for 29) against Australia.
