Unbeaten centuries by openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes helped Bangladesh to virtually wipe out a massive first-innings deficit after bowling out Pakistan for 628 on the fourth day Friday of the first cricket test.
Tamim, on 138, and Kayes, on 132, propelled Bangladesh to 273 without loss at stumps, the highest partnership in its test history. The record feat slashed Pakistan’s 296-run first-innings lead to just 23, and from a slim chance of saving the test to a probable likelihood on the unthreatening pitch at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium.
Tamim’s third century in three tests was also his seventh overall, making him Bangladesh’s leading century-maker, while Kayes notched his second century. Pakistan bowled tirelessly on the flat pitch without any luck, after it was all out for 628 just before lunch. That total and the 296-run lead ought to have intimidated Bangladesh, but after lunch Tamim and Kayes showed no fear.
Tamim smashed 13 boundaries and four sixes in his 183-ball knock, while Kayes hit 14 fours and three over the fence while playing 185 balls. They were also involved in a 224-run opening partnership in Bangladesh’s previous test against Zimbabwe, in which both of them made centuries. But it was the first time in Bangladesh’s 15-year test history that two batsmen made centuries in a single day.
Tamim took to the bowlers with utter derision before he slowed down a bit in the last session. He reached his 50 off 63 balls, and his century after tea off 123 balls, getting there with two consecutive boundaries off Junaid Khan.
Kayes brought up his ton with a sweep of Zulfiqar to backward square leg for a single. He’d taken 153 balls. Tamim was on 134 at the time, but by stumps they were virtually level.Earlier, Pakistan established a 296-run first-innings lead, moving from 537-5 overnight to 628.
Brief Scores
Bangladesh: 332 & 273/0 (Tamim Iqbal 138, Imrul Kayes 132) trail Pakistan: 628 (Mohammad Hafeez 224, Azhar Ali 83, Asad Shafiq 83;Taijul Islam 6/163,Shuvagata Hom 2/120) by 23 runs.
England 71-3 at lunch vs WI
BRIDGETOWN: England stumbled to 71 for three at lunch after winning the toss and batting on the first day of the third and final test against the West Indies on Friday. At the interval at Kensington Oval, captain Alastair Cook was 31 and Joe Root, a century-maker in England’s nine-wicket win in the second test, was on 19. England leads the series 1-0.
England’s problems began off the ninth ball when opener Jonathan Trott fended a short delivery from fast bowler Shannon Gabriel to square-leg. It was Trott’s third 0 in five innings — his first series since withdrawing from the squad during England’s tour of Australia in November 2013. Jason Holder then dismissed Gary Ballance and Ian Bell in successive overs with the total on 38.
Brief Scores
England: 115/4 (Alistair Cook 49 not out, Joe Root 33; Jason Holder 2/16, Shannon Gabriel 1/6) vs West Indies.