Zaheer, Ishant leave Bangladesh reeling at lunch
By IANSSunday, January 24, 2010
DHAKA - Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan wrecked the Bangladesh top order with the new ball, leaving the hosts tottering at 84 for five at lunch on the opening day of the second cricket Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here Sunday.
On a pitch which is likely to assist spinners a lot earlier than expected, Zaheer (2-32) and Ishant (2-31) made regular inroads into the Bangladesh batting after the hosts decided to bat.
Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha (1-15), brought in place of leg-spinner Amit Mishra, snared the prized wicket of Mohammad Ashraful as India took control in the opening session.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan was batting at 11 and wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim at 22 at the lunch break.
Bangladesh were off to a disastrous start and had not even opened their account when they lost opener Imrul Kayes off the very first Ishant delivery in the second over.
Zaheer rattled Tamim Iqbal’s bails in the next over and Bangladesh had lost both their openers for mere four runs.
Junaid Siddique (7), who was brought in place for Shahriar Nafees, survived 13 balls before he was caught behind off Zaheer.
Ashraful, who has been going through a woeful form, threw his bat at everything and quickly raced to a 31-ball 39 with six fours. Ohja, introduced in the 13th over, dismissed Ashraful, who in an attempt to charge the spinner missed the line and was easily stumped by Dhoni.
