Sports

B’desh recover on Day-II

B’desh recover on Day-II

By REUTERS

Bangladesh's Imrul Kayes plays a shot as England's wicketkeeper Jonathan Bairstow looks on during their second Test match in Dhaka on Saturday, October 29, 2016. Photo: Reuters

Dhaka, October 29 Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes hit an unbeaten half-century as the hosts took a lead of 128 with seven second-innings wickets remaining against England on the second day of the second and final Test on Saturday. Kayes was on 59 as the hosts reached 152-3 in their second innings at stumps. Mahmudullah was bowled out to debutant spinner Zafar Ansari (2-33) on the last ball of another eventful day at the Shere Bangla National Stadium after adding 86 for the third wicket with Kayes. Bangladesh got a brisk start from first-innings centurion Tamim Iqbal, who hit a 47-ball 40, and Kayes who put on 65 for the opening partnership before the former became Ansari’s first Test wicket. Earlier, Bangladesh off-spinner Mehedi Hasan picked up his second five-wicket haul of the series but a ninth-wicket stand of 99 gave England a first innings lead of 24. England, who lead the series 1-0 and resumed on 50-3, were reduced to 144-8 in the first session but partnership between Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid put paid to Bangladeshi hopes of a first-innings lead. The second new ball finally bore fruit for the hosts as 19-year-old Mehedi (6-82) dismissed Woakes for 46 to break the dogged stand. Left-armer Taijul Islam (3-65) took his third wicket in the following over to dismiss England for 244 and bring up tea on the second day, leaving Rashid 44 not out. Thirteen wickets had fallen on the opening day and it did not take long on Saturday for Mehedi to send back Moeen Ali for 10 and Ben Stokes to fall for a duck off a bat-pad catch. That left England struggling at 69-5 and the tourists were grateful to Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow for digging them out of a hole with a 45-run stand for the sixth wicket. Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim turned to Mehedi to break the partnership and the youngster duly delivered, dismissing Bairstow leg before for 24.