Tamim, Siddique lead Bangladesh’s fightback

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DHAKA - Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal scored a superb counter-attacking century to lead the hosts’ fightback against India on the third day of the second cricket Test here at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Tuesday.

Tamim scored 151 off 183 balls while Junaid Siddique made a patient 55 as Bangladesh finished at 228 for three at the end of day’s play. Bangladesh now trail by 83 runs.

Mohammad Ashraful and Shahadat Hossain were at the crease, both batting on 2, when the stumps were drawnfor the day.

Earlier, India declared their first innings at 544 for eight, a lead of 311 runs, after having added 85 runs in the morning session. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni struck 89, before being dismissed off the last ball before lunch.

With two days of play remain, Bangladesh started the second knock losing opener Imrul Kayes (5) early, dismissed by Zaheer Khan (3-63).

But from there on, Tamim and Siddique combined to forge a 209-run stand. Bangladesh lost both the batsmen in the last few overs of the day, Zaheer getting them caught behind. Nevertheless, the two set a benchmark for the rest of the batsmen who have been off colour and will have to battle it out for two days.

An attacking player, Tamim played his shots freely while Siddique acted as the second fiddle, rotating the strike with a composed knock.

Tamim’s 151 came off 183 balls with 18 fours and three sixes. Siddique’s well-crafted 55 consumed 144 balls and had five fours.

Bangladesh scored at a brisk pace in the second session. Tamim brought up his 50 off just 49 balls with seven fours.

At tea break, Bangladesh reached 118 for one at tea trailing by 193 runs.

Tamim continued in the same vein after tea, hitting Pragyan Ojha for two fours and sixes off successive deliveries. The 20-year-old then hit Zaheer for a four for his second Test hundred and fastest by a Bangladshi batsmen, having taken just 101 balls.

Tamim was also severe on Harbhajan Singh and struck the off-spinner for two of his three sixes.

When Tamim was spanking the Indian attack, Siddique showed his temparament and focused on staying at the crease.

Earlier, Dhoni struck a half century as India declared their first innings at 544 for eight.

Sachin Tendulkar (143) and Rahul Dravid (111) had scored centuries Monday and Dhoni carried on Tuesday to bat Bangladesh out of the match.

Dhoni scored 89 off 167 deliveries with the help of nine fours and two sixes. He was stumped off part-timer Raqibul Hasan.

Resuming at 459 for five, India lost Zaheer Khan for a duck when he pulled a short delivery from pacer Shafiul Islam (3-86) straight to Shahadat Hossain at the fine leg boundary.

Dhoni then stepped up the attack and came down the track to hit Shakib straight down the ground for a six. He struck Shahadat Hossain for two successive fours.

Dhoni got good support from Ishant Sharma (13) and the duo added 51 runs for the seventh wicket.

After Ishant was dismissed by Mohammad Ashraful, Dhoni and Pragyan Ojha (1) scored 26 runs.