Shakib steers Tigers
Monday, 20 October 2008
CHITTAGONG, Oct 19 (UNB): Riding on a Shakib Al Hasan's maiden half century, Bangladesh took 258 runs overall lead over New Zealand on the third day of the first Test of the two match BRAC Bank Test Series at the Bir Shreshtho Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium here today (Sunday).
Bangladesh faced early batting collapse, but recovered to score 184 for 8 in 84 overs in the 2nd innings at stumps on the third day, in reply to New Zealand's 1st innings score of 171 for all in 64.5 overs.
But the day undoubtedly belonged to Shakib Al Hasan. Having finished with career-best figures of 7 for 36 earlier in the day, he helped steer Bangladesh to safety with a gritty 71 after it seemed that New Zealand had wrested the initiative back from the hosts in the first Test after being shot out for 171.
Going in with a lead of 74 runs, the Bangladesh batsmen were expected to pile on the misery for the visitors. However, once the spin duo of Daniel Vettori and Jeetan Patel came on, the momentum had clearly swung the other way.
Reduced to 71 for 5 at one stage, it was a rearguard action by Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib which helped steady the innings. And even after Rahim fell to Iain O'Brien, Shakib continued the resistance with Naeem Islam and brought up his fifty with a punch through the covers off Kyle Mills.
The hosts felt early batting jolt as Kiwis pacer Kyle Mills removed opener Junaid Siddiqui (6), who gave an easy catch to Aaron Redmond, while Rajin Saleh (6), who again failed to play a big innings, was trapped leg before by Jeetan Patel.
Bangladesh desperately needed a partnership at this crucial stage, but Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful (0) again frustrated the local crowd giving a catch for duck to Redmond off Vettori, plunging the team into a deep trouble.
Mehrab Hossain Jr., who played an impressive career best in the first innings, scored only six runs giving a catch to Mills off Patel leaving the team total at 49 for 4.
Opener Tamim Iqbal made a patient 33 runs off 100 balls with five fours before he was caught and bowled by Vettori.
After the departure of Tamim, wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim pairing with Shakib Al Hasan contributed 56 runs in the 6th wicket stand to take the team to a bit safer position. Rahim scored 32 runs off 121 balls with four fours, but he unfortunately went trying to play a pull shot off pacer O'Brien.
Bangladesh faced early batting collapse, but recovered to score 184 for 8 in 84 overs in the 2nd innings at stumps on the third day, in reply to New Zealand's 1st innings score of 171 for all in 64.5 overs.
But the day undoubtedly belonged to Shakib Al Hasan. Having finished with career-best figures of 7 for 36 earlier in the day, he helped steer Bangladesh to safety with a gritty 71 after it seemed that New Zealand had wrested the initiative back from the hosts in the first Test after being shot out for 171.
Going in with a lead of 74 runs, the Bangladesh batsmen were expected to pile on the misery for the visitors. However, once the spin duo of Daniel Vettori and Jeetan Patel came on, the momentum had clearly swung the other way.
Reduced to 71 for 5 at one stage, it was a rearguard action by Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib which helped steady the innings. And even after Rahim fell to Iain O'Brien, Shakib continued the resistance with Naeem Islam and brought up his fifty with a punch through the covers off Kyle Mills.
The hosts felt early batting jolt as Kiwis pacer Kyle Mills removed opener Junaid Siddiqui (6), who gave an easy catch to Aaron Redmond, while Rajin Saleh (6), who again failed to play a big innings, was trapped leg before by Jeetan Patel.
Bangladesh desperately needed a partnership at this crucial stage, but Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful (0) again frustrated the local crowd giving a catch for duck to Redmond off Vettori, plunging the team into a deep trouble.
Mehrab Hossain Jr., who played an impressive career best in the first innings, scored only six runs giving a catch to Mills off Patel leaving the team total at 49 for 4.
Opener Tamim Iqbal made a patient 33 runs off 100 balls with five fours before he was caught and bowled by Vettori.
After the departure of Tamim, wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim pairing with Shakib Al Hasan contributed 56 runs in the 6th wicket stand to take the team to a bit safer position. Rahim scored 32 runs off 121 balls with four fours, but he unfortunately went trying to play a pull shot off pacer O'Brien.