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Bangladesh vs England, 1st Test, Day 2 Report: Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib keep hosts in hunt

Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan ensured that Bangladesh did not suffer any major casualties as they near England's 1st inning total of 293.

©  AFP
Mushfiqur Rahim made a valiant 48 © AFP

Bangladesh dominance continued even in the final session of Day Two of the Chittagong Test. England had a poor Day One with the bat and bundled out quick in just the first hour or so on Day two. Powered by Mehedi Hasan 6-for England could managed just 293 runs in their 1st inning. Bangladesh batsmen ensured that the team was never behind the eight-ball with their key batsmen scoring crucial half-centuries. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan batted the final session of the day without any fuzz. England bowlers toiled hard in order to get some reverse swing but to no avail. Going into stumps on Day 2 Bangladesh were 221 for 5 with Shafiul Islam not-out on 0* and Shakib 31* not-out trailing England by 72 runs. LIVE Cricket Scorecard: Bangladesh vs England 1st Test at Chittagong

Coming after tea, Bangladesh had the skipper and deputy out in the middle. Tamim was cruising all through out his innings, in the post-tea session was slow and did not look to score any runs. Mushfiqur came out in the middle with the teams top-order gone with Bangladesh still needing 174 to equal England’s score. Tamim did help Mushfiqur calm his nerves but keeping most of the strike. Soon after Mushfiqur settled in and started opening his arms against a tired looking attack. Tamim and Mushfiqur added 44 runs for the fourth wicket.

Gareth Batty after toiling in the sun for half a-day and waiting 11-long years finally picked his 12th Test wicket. Batty’s reward came in his 14th over, as Tamim become his one-and only victim of the day. Tamim looked to play the ball on the rise only to get a thin top edge to the keeper’. Tamim made a 179-ball 78. Post Tamim’s wicket Mushfiqur was joined by Bangladesh finest all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.  Mushfiqur continued to bat his away against the spin of Rashid and Moeen. ALSO READ: England register lowest Test total vs Bangladesh

Mushfiqur and Shakib then molded the Bangladesh’s innings. Shakib looked aggressive from the get-go. Shakib used his feet against the spinners to good effect. Shakib scored very fluently against Rashid and Batty.  The pair of Shakib and Mushfiqur added 58 runs for the fifth wicket. Mushfiqur looked good for a half-century but was stranded on mid 40 for a long time eventually getting out on 48. Ben Stokes became the first non-spinner to take a wicket in this Test. Stokes trapped Mushfiqur in giving his wicket away. Mushfiqur went on the back-foot and then tried to go the expansive drive only to edge the ball to the keeper’ who takes it at second go.

Tamim along with Mahmudullah batted out any threat from the England bowlers in the second session. The pair added 90 runs for the third wicket. Mahmudullah added 38 runs for the teams cause. Mahmudullah fell to Rashid, who drew him forward on the front foot which caught an edge and into the hands of Joe Root.

England who were bowled out for a score 293 in the first innings, registered their lowest score against Bangladesh in Test cricket. Their previous lowest score was of 293 which came in the Dhaka Test back in October 2003. The Under-19 rookie Mehedi Hasan crushed the England top-middle order for pick a career best of 6 for 80 in his debut game for his country. England only saving grace came in the form of Moeen Ali and Jonathan Bairstow, who cracked much needed half-centuries respectively to help their team stay in the game.

Brief scores:

England 293 all-out ( Moeen Ali 68, Jonathan Bairstow 52; Mehedi Hasan 6 for 80) lead Bangladesh 221 for 5 ( Tamin Iqbal 78, Mushfiqur Rahim 48 ; Moeen Ali 2 for 66 ) by 72 runs.

(Vishal Mehra is a journalist with CricketCountry, who enjoys his weekly dose of anime, monthly viewing of sitcoms, daily playing of cricket once every few hours moon, and currently venturing into table-tennis . His twitter handle is @capturethecatch)

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