Bangladesh vs England, 2nd Test: Tamim Iqbal’s half-century gets hosts’ steady start

Tamim Iqbal's half-century gets hosts' steady start

Bangladesh have looked solid in the first session against England on Day One. Both teams clashed in the second Test of the 2-Test series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium Mirpur in Dhaka, with the visitors’ leading the series 1-0. Bangladesh’s mainstay in batting Tamim Iqbal yet again took apart the England bowling line-up which he is prone to since he first faced them in Tests. Tamim has been ably supported by Mominul Haque. England have toiled hard so far in the first session apart from one moment of enjoyment. Banlgadesh going into lunch are placed at 118 for 1 with Tamim not-out on 68* and Mominul not-out  on 44*. LIVE Cricket Scorecard: Bangladesh vs England 2nd Test at Mirpur

Tamim opened the innings with Imrul Kayes with England bowlers looking to snatch early wickets. England started with Chris Woakes and Steven Finn, both of whom have been in and out of the Test side. Woakes and Finn applied great pressure to hamper Bangladesh’s chances early on. Woakes into his second over got the wicket of Kayes. Kayes looking to cut a wide outside off stump ball gave a simple catch to point. Thus handing Ben Duckett his first ever Test catch. Mominul Haque came into bat at No.3 with Tamim still looking to get off the mark.

Mominul started off with quick boundaries off Finn. Tamim still remained on zero. After watching his partner stroke runs Tamim opened up arms and smacked Woakes for back-to-back 3-boundaries in the same over. Post that it was not stopping Tamim post that. Tamim was in particular heavy on Zafar Ansari, who is playing his debut Test. Ansari was cantered for 2 boundaries in the same over. Tamim got to his fifty in just 60 balls.

Tamim soon slowed down as Bangladesh were nearing lunch. Tamim remained not-out on with eight four’s to his name. Mominul on the other hand, after getting off to a great start slowed down. Mominul has looked more compact and secured with the bat in the middle. Mominul remained not-out on 44 off 65 balls, which included seven four’s.

England debutante Ansari did not have a memorable start in his first outing. Ansari went for 36 runs in his 6 overs. Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali were more economical than Ansari. Ben Stokes was the most economical off all giving just 6 runs.

Earlier Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and elected to bat first. Mushfiqur is also playing his 50th Test for Bangladesh. Bangladesh made only one change with Shuvagata Hom coming in for Shafiqul Islam.  Alastair Cook announced two changes in his playing XI including Zafar Ansari and Steven Finn for Gareth Batty and Stuart Broad.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh 118 for 1 (Tamim Iqbal 68* , Mominul Haque 44* ; Chris Woakes 1 for 25) vs England