Tamim Iqbal scored a half-century as Bangladesh made a solid start Friday in response to England's first innings in an evenly-poised opening Test before skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was bowled just before the close. England paceman Ben Stokes dismissed Rahim for 48, three overs before stumps in Chittagong. The hosts finished the day on 221-5, trailing England's first innings total of 293 runs by 72.
Shakib Al Hasan, who shared a 58-run partnership with Rahim for the fifth wicket, remained unbeaten on 31 overnight along with night-watchman Shafiul Islam, who has yet to get off the mark. Tamim earlier top-scored with 78 for the home side, his 19th half-century and fifth against England, before he got a top edge when he attempted to cut off-spinner Gareth Batty.
"I think we have slight bit of advantage," Tamim said after the day's play. "If Mushfiq had remained unbeaten we could have said we are in a better position. "Still we have got five wickets in hand and if we can take a lead of 100 runs it would be great." Batty said "the match is evenly poised" and England would fancy their chances if they could polish off the Bangladeshi lower order early on the third day.
"If we can restrict them early, then hopefully we will be in the box seat," said the 39-year-old after taking his first wicket after more than a decade out of the side. Tamim, who hit seven fours, added 90 runs with Mahmudullah (38) for the third wicket to steady Bangladesh's innings after Moeen Ali took two wickets in one over before the lunch break to rattle them.
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Scoreboard
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England first innings (overnight 258-7)
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A. Cook b Shakib 4
B. Duckett b Mehedi 14
J. Root c Sabbir b Mehedi 40
G. Ballance lbw b Mehedi 1
M. Ali c Rahim b Mehedi 68
B. Stokes b Shakib 18
J. Bairstow b Mehedi 52
C. Woakes c Mominul b Taijul 36
A. Rashid c Sabbir b Taijul 26
S. Broad c Rahim be Mehedi 13
G. Batty not out 1
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Extras: (b14, lb4, w2) 20
Total: (all out, 105.5 overs) 293
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Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Duckett), 2-18 (Cook), 3-21 (Ballance), 4-83 (Root), 5-106 (Stokes), 6-194 (Moeen) , 7-237 (Bairstow), 8-258 (Woakes), 9-289 (Rashid), 10-293 (Broad)
Bowling: Shafiul 9-1-33-0, Mehedi 39.5-7-80-6, Kamrul 8-0-41-0 (w2), Shakib 19-6-46-2, Taijul 24-11-47-2, Sabbir 3-0-11-0, Mahmudullah 2-0-17-0, Mominul 1-1-0-0
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Bangladesh 1st innings
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T. Iqbal C Bairstow b Batty 78
I. Kayes b Ali 21
M. Haque c Stokes b Ali 0
Mahmudullah c Root b Rashid 38
M. Rahim c Bairstow b Stokes 48
S. Al Hasan not out 31
S. Islam not out 0
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Extras: (lb 4 w1) 5
Total: (5 wkts, 74 overs) 221
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