Bangladesh set a significant fourth-innings target of 273 runs on day-3 against England to chase on an exhausting surface in the 2nd Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.
Tigers have to defend the lead in pursuit of their historic first-ever Test victory as well as to draw the series 1-1 against England on their 10th meet since 2003.
Bangladesh, having 220 in the first innings, resumed the 2nd innings with overnight lead of 128 on 3rd day and extended it scoring 296/10 in 66.5 overs that included the overnight score of 152 for 3 in 31 overs.
Overnight batsman Imrul Kayes hit a boundary facing 39-ball on the day to add 19 runs more with his previous figure 59.
Kayes played for top-scoring 78 off 120 balls, including nine boundaries, and was trapped lbw by Moeen Ali’s bowling at 200/4 in 45.1 overs.
To ensure a good start in the first session on the day, Kayes stayed with Shakib Al Hasan in the 4th wicket for 48 off 14.1 overs starting from overnight score of 152/3 in 31 overs. However, Kayes’s overnight 3rd wicket stand of 86 in 17.5 overs with Mahmudullah on the 2nd day motivated the batters to set the big innings lead.
Shakib continued his composure to be another notable scorer with 41 off 81-ball, including six boundaries, on the day before he was bowled out by Adil Rashid at 238/5 in 54.5 overs.
Number-6 batsman Sabbir Rahman who mesmerised with bat patiently on his Test debut in Chittagong, was the last man downed before lunch, trapped lbw off Adil Rashid bowling firing three boundaries on the way to add 15 off 17-ball, leaving team collection at 268/7 in 60.3 overs.
Shuvagata Hom added unbeaten 25 off 28 balls including four boundaries.
Leg-break spin bowler Adil Rashid was most successful in the innings bagging four wickets for 52 runs while Ben Stokes captured three also for 52. Debut left-arm orthodox spin bowler Zafar Ansari bagged two wickets for 76 runs while Moeen Ali took one for 60.
Skipper Alastair Cook and Ben Duckett opened the English 2nd innings onday-3, having 244 runs in the first innings.
Brief score
Bangladesh 1st innings: 220/10 in 63.5 overs; Tamim Iqbal 104, Mominul Haque 66, Mahmudullah 13, Shakib Al Hasan 10, Moeen Ali 5/57, Chris Woakes 3/30, Ben Stokes 2/13.
Bangladesh 2nd innings: 296/10 in 66.5 overs (overnight 153/3 in 31 overs); Imrul Kayes 78, Mahmudullah 47, Shakib Al Hasan 41, Tamim Iqbal 40, Shuvagata Hom 25(not out), Sabbir Rahman 15, Adil Rashid 4/52, Ben stokes 3/52, Zafar Ansari 2/76, Moeen Ali 1/60.
Englans 1st innings: 244/10 in 81.3 overs; Joe Root batting 56, Chris Woakes 46, Adil Rashid 44 (not out), Jonny Bairstow 24, Alastair Cook 14, Zafar Ansari 13, Moeen Ali 10, Mehedi Hasan Miraz 6/82, Taijul Islam 3/65, Shakib Al Hasan 1/41. — Dhaka, Oct 30 (UNB)
