Bangladesh on course to set stiff target for England
Bangladesh are on course to set a challenging target for England after the end of the second day of the second test match against England in Dhaka on Saturday. The hosts ended the day on 152 runs for the loss of three wickets taking a lead of 128 runs in the second innings.
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The day started with England resuming their first innings on 50 for three.
England found themselves in deep trouble in the morning session as they lost two quick wickets for just 19 runs.
However, Joe Root offered resistance with a patient 56 along with Jonny Bairstow, who scored 24.
Their 45-run partnership was broken by off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who claimed six wickets in the innings. Mehedi was the star performer in the first Test as well claiming seven wickets in his team’s 22-run loss.
Just when it seemed England would struggle to reach a total of 200, tail-enders Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid stitched a crucial 99 runs partnership to give their side a slim 24 runs lead.
Taijul Islam was the other bowling star for Bangladesh as he claimed three wickets, including those of Root and Ben Stokes.
Bangladesh made a confident start to their second innings with with Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes scoring 65 runs for the first wicket. Despite losing their number three batsman Mominul Haque cheaply, Bangladesh kept up the tempo as Mahmudullah Riyad scored an attacking 47 runs and shared 86 runs with Kayes who remained unbeaten on 59.
England brought themselves back into the contest as left-arm spinner Zafar Ansari dismissed Riyad off the final ball of the day.
Bangladesh are now hoping to set a decent target for England to chase in the fourth innings.
“I think a lead of 300 would be good enough,” said Mehedi Hasan. “You cannot determine anything at the moment because there is still a lot of cricket left in the remaining three days."
England lead the two Test series after winning the first match in Chittagong.
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