Bangladesh brought up their first-ever century opening stand against India in Tests as the Tigers are chasing a record target in their first of two-Test series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday.
IND vs BAN 1st Test: At Lunch on Day 4, In 42 overs, Bangladesh reached 119 for no loss. This was the first session of the game to go without any wickets. Additionally, it was made feasible by the Bangladesh openers scoring their first-century stand against India in the longest format. Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes’ 53-run opening stand at the same venue 12 years prior was the previous high.
In order to keep the Tigers’ hopes of achieving a record 513-run target alive, both openers Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan both scored fifty-plus scores. When the Tigers were asked to bat in the end hours of the final session on Day 3 after India declared their second innings on 258 for two, Zakir, who was playing his first Test, had just reached his first Test fifty off 101 deliveries and hardly appeared to be in trouble against the Indians. Zakir has a perfect record of 55 from 109 deliveries.
IND vs BAN 1st Test; Shanto, Zakir remains undefeated
Shanto, who was removed for a golden duck during the Tigers’ disastrous first innings batting performance, scored his first fifty since the momentous Test victory Bangladesh achieved over New Zealand at Mount Maunganui in January of this year. Additionally, this was the left-third hander’s fifty in a Test overall. As of 64 out of 143 deliveries, Shanto is still in.
The batters, who were successful yesterday, carried on in a similar way after starting the day with 42 hits for no losses. On a Chattogram surface that has a history of being batting-friendly in the latter days of a Test, both left-handed openers have been playing with ease.
Both off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav of India were able to induce turn in the pitch, but due to the slow nature of the surface. The batters had little to no difficulty navigating those turns. Yadav was the primary destroyer when he bundled out the hosts for just 150 in the first innings with his spin variations.
IND vs BAN Overall Score: Lunch
The first Test match between Bangladesh and India is now taking place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Bangladesh is chasing a goal of 513 runs, and as of lunch on Day 4, they are at 119/0. Currently batting for Bangladesh, Najmul Hossain Shanto (64*) and Zakir Hasan (55*) are forming a solid partnership.
India declared early on Day 3 after increasing their first innings total of 404 to 258 for two. Cheteshwar Pujara, who is still undefeated, and Shubman Gill were both in excellent form and pounded the ball hard.
With 10 fours and three sixes, Gill scored 110 runs off 152 balls. Pujara, meanwhile, blasted a 102-run unbeaten innings off 130 balls, including 13 fours. In the meantime, KL Rahul was fired by Khaled Ahmed, and Gill was fired by Mehidy Hasan. The Indian bowlers, namely Mohammed Siraj and Ravichandran Ashwin, will be the focus of Day 4’s attention.
