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| October 25, 2003 | Saturday | Sha’aban 28, 1424 |
England struggle to take wickets against Bangladesh
DHAKA, Oct 24: Bangladesh battled back in their first-ever Test against England, as the tourists struggled at close on the fourth day at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday.
Bangladesh were 245 for six in their second innings after conceding a 92- run first innings lead, batting through the day to be 153 runs ahead with four wickets in hand.
A second-wicket partnership of 108 between batting mainstay Habibul Bashar and opener Hannan Sarkar ensured Bangladesh remained in the contest.
Bashar struck 58 with the help of nine boundaries and Sarkar 59 with seven fours as the pair batted through the opening session after resuming from their overnight 12 for one.
“The conditions were not too good for batting and thus our performance in the second innings has been really good,” said Bashar, who notched up his 15th half-century in 25 Tests.
The 31-year-old felt it was a good chance to get his third ton.
“I was disappointed at getting out at that stage. I was batting very well and had looked set to get a bigger score when I got out,” he said.
Bashar was dismissed at the stroke of lunch, caught at slip by Marcus Trescothick off debutant off-spinner Gareth Batty.
Bangladesh were 120-2 at that stage and Sarkar fell a little later, also caught by Trescothick at the same position off seamer Matthew Hoggard.
The cheap dismissals of Alok Kapali and former captain Khaled Mashud again put pressure on Bangladesh, but all-rounder Mushfiqur Rahman came to their rescue with a patient unbeaten 43 off 149 deliveries.
Captain Khaled Mahmud was giving him company on 17.
Kapali was caught at square leg as he tried to pull Harmison just when he was beginning to shape well, and Mashud, the highest scorer of the first innings with 51, too went soon after.
Javed Omar, who normally opens but came in at number seven because of a pulled thigh muscle, contributed a useful 27 runs.
The English bowlers could not dominate at any stage in the day and paceman Matthew Hoggard and Stephen Harmison toiled hard to take two wickets each.
Bashar felt Bangladesh were in with a good chance in the match.
“Ideally, we should bat through the first session tomorrow. If we get 100 runs or so in that period, it would be difficult to lose from that position and we could also press for a win,” said Bashar.
Bangladesh are looking to improve their Test record, which stands at 23 losses and a draw from 24 matches.
Earlier on Thursday, left-handers Marcus Trescothick (113) and Graham Thorpe (64) had helped England take an important lead after paceman Harmison scalped five to help restrict the home side to 203.
The first day’s play was ruined due to rain as only 15 overs were possible. Floodlights have been in use throughout the match due to overcast conditions.
Bangladesh are playing their first-ever Test series against England.
The second and final match will be held at the eastern port city of Chittagong.
Scoreboard
Bangladesh (1st innings) 203
England (1st innings) 295
Bangladesh (2nd innings)
Hannan Sarkar c Trescothick b Hoggard 59
Rajin Saleh c Read b Harmison 8
Habibul Bashar c Trescothick b Batty 58
Alok Kapali c Butcher b Harmison 12
Mushfiqur Rahman not out 43
Khaled Mashud c Hussain b Giles 7
Javed Omar lbw b Hoggard 27
Khaled Mahmud not out 17
Extras (lb 6, nb 3, pen 5) 14
Total (6 wickets, 98 overs, 403 mins) 245
To Bat: Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Mortaza, Enamul Haque jnr.
FALL OF WKTS: 1-12, 2-120, 3-140, 4-148, 5-176, 6-219
Bowling: Hoggard 22-7-45-2; Harmison 21-6-41-2 (3nb); Batty 20-2-65-1; Giles 20-4-52-1; Clarke 15-6-31-0.
Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pak) and EAR de Silva (SL)
TV Umpire: AFM Akhtaruddin
Match Referee: Wasim Raja (Pak).—Agencies
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