India in control at tea against Bangladesh
By IANSSunday, January 24, 2010
DHAKA - Bangladesh middle-order dug their heels in the second session but lost wickets at regular intervals to reach 197 for eight at tea in the second cricket Test against India at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here Sunday.
Zaheer Khan (3-54), Ishant Sharma (3-65) and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha (2-36) took a wicket each even as Bangladesh added 113 runs in the post-lunch session with India tightening their grip on the opening day’s play after the hosts decided to bat.
Mahmudullah was batting on 65 and Shafiul Islam 9 at the break.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, who were at the crease when lunch was taken, looked poised to rescue the hosts. The two rustled up 55 runs for the sixth wicket when Rahim, who slammed his maiden century in the first Test, was trapped leg before by Ishant. He made 30 that came with the help of six fours.
With the hosts reeling at 106 for six, it was now left to Mahmudullah and Shakib to make amends. Mahmudullah batted fluently and, with Shakib, kept the scoreboard ticking before the skipper, attempting to cut Zaheer, edged a catch to Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Shakib’s 34 came off 67 balls and included four fours.
Shahadat Hossain bided some time at the crease with Mahmudullah, who brought up his half century in 71 balls with six fours, at the other end. But Hossain (8) was stumped by Ojha for his second wicket.
Earlier, Ishant and Zaheer wrecked the Bangladesh top order with the new ball, leaving the hosts tottering at 84 for five at lunch.
