Stokes’ late strike makes it even stevens

Chittagong, October 21 

Tamim Iqbal scored a half-century as Bangladesh made a solid start against England in the first Test here before skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was bowled just before the close.

England paceman Ben Stokes dismissed Rahim three overs before the stumps after the Bangladesh captain had taken his side to a comfortable position with a solid innings of 48 runs.

Bangladesh survived some anxious moments after Rahim’s dismissal to finish the second day at 221/5, trailing England’s first innings total of 293 runs by 72 runs with five wickets in hand.

Shakib Al Hasan, who shared a 58-run stand with Rahim for the fifth wicket, remained unbeaten on 31 with nightwatchman Shafiul Islam, who was yet to open his account.

Iqbal earlier top-scored with 78 for the home side, his 19th half-century, fifth against England, before he got a top edge while attempting a cut off off-spinner Gareth Batty. Iqbal, who hit seven fours, added 90 runs with Mahmudullah (38) for the third wicket to steady Bangladesh’s innings after Moeen Ali took two wickets in one over before the lunch break to rattle them.

Iqbal got a reprieve at 55 through a television review after being given out just before the tea break.

Adil Rashid, who earlier dropped a tough catch of Tamim at 28 off Ali, broke the left-hander’s  partnership with Mahmudullah when he had the latter caught at slip by Joe Root.

The hosts had been 29/2 at lunch after Ali bowled opener Imrul Kayes for 21 off his very first ball and then had Mominul Haque caught by Stokes at slip for a duck. Earlier, debutant off-spinner Mehedi Hasan claimed the final wicket of Stuart Broad to finish with 6/80. — AFP

Brief scores: England: 293 (Ali 68, Bairstow 52, Mehedi 6/80); B’desh: 221/5 (Iqbal 78, Rahim 48).