DHAKA, 25 October 2003 — Bangladesh battled back in their first-ever Test against England, as the tourists struggled at close on the fourth day at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here yesterday.
Bangladesh were 245 for six in their second innings after conceding a 92- run first innings lead, batting through the day to be 153 runs ahead with four wickets in hand.
A second-wicket partnership of 108 between batting mainstay Habibul Bashar and opener Hannan Sarkar ensured Bangladesh remained in the contest.
Bashar struck 58 with the help of nine boundaries and Sarkar 59 with seven fours as the pair batted through the opening session after resuming from their overnight 12 for one.
“The conditions were not too good for batting and thus our performance in the second innings has been really good,” said Bashar, who notched up his 15th half-century in 25 Tests.
The 31-year-old felt it was a good chance to get his third ton.
Bashar was dismissed at the stroke of lunch, caught at slip by Marcus Trescothick off debutant off-spinner Gareth Batty.
Bangladesh were 120-2 at that stage and Sarkar fell a little later, also caught by Trescothick at the same position off seamer Matthew Hoggard.
The cheap dismissals of Alok Kapali and former captain Khaled Mashud again put pressure on Bangladesh, but all-rounder Mushfiqur Rahman came to their rescue with a patient unbeaten 43 off 149 deliveries. Captain Khaled Mahmud was giving him company on 17. Kapali was caught at square leg as he tried to pull Harmison just when he was beginning to shape well, and Mashud, the highest scorer of the first innings with 51, too went soon after. Javed Omar, who normally opens but came in at number seven because of a pulled thigh muscle, contributed a useful 27 runs.
