Chittagong, May 22:

Opener Javed Omar smashed an unbeaten half century to help Bangladesh draw the rain-shortened first Test against India.

Bangladesh, set a victory target of 250 on the fifth and final day, cruised to 104-2 thanks to Omar’s solid knock of 52 off 82 balls. He struck eight boundaries and one six. Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar contributed 37 runs before being caught by RP Singh off debutant Romesh Powar. Singh earlier dismissed left-hand opening batsman Shahriar Nafees for only one run.

These were the two wickets that India could grab after captain Rahul Dravid declared India’s second innings at 100-6 in quest of an exciting victory, setting a victory target of 250 in 47 overs.

India dominated most part of the match, often interrupted by rain at Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium. The visitors declared their first innings on 387-8 and then bundled the hosts for 238, gaining a healthy 149-run first innings lead. Bangladesh’s pacer Mashrafee Bin Mortaza was declared man-of-the-match for claiming a match total of five wickets and then making a hefty 79 runs in the first innings that helped Bangladesh to avoid a follow-on.

Indian star batsman Sachin Tendulkar struck 101 — his 36th Test century — in the first innings followed by 31 in the second innings. Saurav Ganguly also notched up his 13th Test century. The second and final Test will begin in Dhaka on Friday.