Dhaka Test
Dhaka Test: Bangladesh Set Mere 137-Run Target for New Zealand
Bangladesh set a mere target of 137 runs for New Zealand in the Dhaka Test on Saturday.
Bangladesh stumbled for a mere 144 in their second innings, with Zakir Hasan contributing 59. However, no other Bangladeshi batter managed to surpass even the 20-run mark.
Dhaka Test: Day 3 cut short by bad light as Bangladesh lose quick wickets
At the end of day three, shortened due to bad weather, Bangladesh stood at 38 for two. On the fourth morning, they added 106 and lost the remaining wickets.
Ajaz Patel claimed six wickets for New Zealand, while Mitchell Santner secured three.
Dhaka Test: Persistent Rain Washes Away Day 2
In the first innings, Bangladesh scored 172, led by Mushfiqur Rahim with 35 and Shahadat Hossain with 31. For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips each took three wickets.
In response, New Zealand secured a slim 8-run lead, scoring 180 in their first innings, fueled by Glenn Phillips' 87. For Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam took three wickets each.
Dhaka Test: Rain Washes Out First Session of Day 2
Dhaka Test: Ireland win toss, opt for batting first
Ireland won the toss and chose to bat first in their first-ever Test match against Bangladesh.
Prior to this game, Ireland had played three Tests, losing all of them.
This match features six Test debutants: Murray Commins, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker, Graham Hume, and Ben White. In addition, Peter Moor, with eight Tests for Zimbabwe, will make his first appearance for Ireland. It will also be White's first-ever first-class match.
While Ireland is a relatively inexperienced team in Tests, Bangladesh has opted for an experienced squad. In the absence of Taskin Ahmed, they have included Shoriful Islam in their playing XI.
Yesterday, it was unclear if Tamim Iqbal would play, but he has been included in the playing XI for Bangladesh.
Also read: Taskin ruled out, Tamim uncertain as Tigers set to take on Ireland in one-off Test
Bangladesh XI: Tamim Iqbal, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain
Ireland XI: Murray Commins, James McCollum, Andy Balbirnie, Harry Tector, PJ Moor, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Graham Hume, Ben White
Dhaka Test: Iyer, Ashwin guide India's win from a lost position
On a tricky Mirpur pitch, Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin showed exemplary performances and steered India to a thrilling three-wicket win in Dhaka against Bangladesh.
After a dramatic loss of seven wickets for a total of 74 runs in pursuit of 145, India needed 71 runs to achieve victory, with only three wickets left and Bangladesh's spinners continuing to dominate on the home pitch. Miraculously, Iyer and Ashwin joined forces and managed to secure the 71-run partnership needed to defy all odds, ultimately crushing Bangladesh's seemingly inescapable victory.
Over 5,000 passionate fans filled the Mirpur galleries, a sight rarely seen at Test matches and even more uncommon in the opening session of a Test in Bangladesh. All eyes were firmly fixed on the pitch, hoping for a victory to cheer about.
In the last 13 meetings between Bangladesh and India in Tests, the former had never come close to even a victory, thus evoking fans' excitement from far and wide to witness the game unfold from the first ball of day four.
Read more: Dhaka Test: India struggle as Bangladesh spinners dominate
They were fortunate to have Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz take three quick wickets in the morning, further pushing India into trouble.
Along the process, Mehidy completed his ninth five-wicket haul in Test.
At that point, when India had slumped to 74-7, victory seemed almost certain for Bangladesh due to the Mirpur pitch that was proving difficult to negotiate with its spin-friendly conditions.
But from there on, Iyer and Ashwin stole the show and guided India home.
Bangladesh made every effort to break the partnership between Iyer and Ashwin. They fashioned some good opportunities - the brightest of which rose when Ashwin was at the crease. Mehidy hurled a regular delivery around middle and leg, which Ashwin attempted to defend but managed only an edge. Unfortunately, Mominul Haque at the short fine leg failed to latch onto the chance, which eventually left Bangladesh short of victory.
Shakib strategically brought in an extra pace bowler for two overs when he noticed that spin bowling was not yielding the desired results, with the intention to disrupt the formidable partnership between Iyer and Ashwin.
Read more: Dhaka Test: A Tigers win absolutely possible, says Liton after day three
Khaled Ahmed, the pacer, gave away 12 runs in those two overs, though it failed to make a difference in the game. However, those 12 balls could have provided some respite to the batters, who were feeling the pressure against the spinners.
Eventually, Iyer and Ashwin remained unbeaten for 29 and 42 runs, respectively, completing a win that will be remembered for a long to them.
Bangladesh went to bat first in the match and put up 227 runs, led by Mominul Haque's 84. India responded with a stronger performance, as Pant and Iyer both scored well to build a first-innings lead of 87 runs, bringing the team's total score to 314.
In their second innings of the match, Bangladesh put a good effort, with Zakir Hasan scoring a fifty to help push their tally to 231. India thus had a target of 145 for a win.
Dhaka Test: India struggle as Bangladesh spinners dominate
India are finding it difficult to make progress in the Dhaka Test against Bangladesh, as the home team's spin bowlers are dominating during the morning session of day four.
India started the day aiming to score 100 runs to win the match with six wickets in hand. But they lost three more wickets, adding 29 runs to their overnight total of 45 runs.
Read more: Dhaka Test: A Tigers win absolutely possible, says Liton after day three
Shakib removed Jaydev Unadkat in the second over of the day. Jaydev hit a six in the first over bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and survived an LBW appeal by the umpire’s call.
Mehidy put further pressure by removing Rishabh Pant and overnight not-out batter Axar Patel.
With this, Mehidy completed his ninth five-wicket haul in Tests. He had taken three more on day three.
After losing 7 for 74, Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin came together and are guiding India on a difficult Mirpur surface.
Read more: Dhaka Test: India pursuing 145 as Mehidy bags 3 wickets
Bangladesh went to bat first in the match and put up 227 runs, led by Mominul Haque's 84. India responded with a stronger performance, as Pant and Iyer both scored well to build a first-innings lead of 87 runs, bringing the team's total score to 314.
In their second innings of the match, Bangladesh put a good effort, with Zakir Hasan scoring a fifty to help push their tally to 231. India thus had a target of 145 for a win.
Dhaka Test: A Tigers win absolutely possible, says Liton after day three
Bangladesh's wicket-keeper batter Liton Das has expressed optimism regarding their chances of coming away with a win in the ongoing Dhaka Test against India.
At the close of day three, India slumped to 45-4 in pursuit of 145 runs. In the last session of the day, the tourists had lost four wickets, thanks to Mehidy Hasan Miraz's three-wicket haul.
"A win is absolutely possible," Liton said in the post-day press conference Saturday. "We need to take early wickets tomorrow. If we can take early wickets, it will be difficult for them to win the match, no matter how small the target is."
Both Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli were dismissed before the end of the day's play. However, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer are yet to bat.
Read more: Dhaka Test: India pursuing 145 as Mehidy bags 3 wickets
"They have some batters who can give us a tough time, but they are the side who will be under more pressure," Liton said.
Bangladesh batted first in this match and scored 227 runs; Mominul Haque scored 84.
India responded with a better performance. Pant and Iyer did well to help their team earn a first-innings lead of 87 runs with a score of 314.
Read more: Dhaka Test: Bangladesh set a target of 145 for India
Bangladesh put up a fight in the second innings. Zakir Hasan hit a half-century to help his team score 231.
Dhaka Test: Bangladesh set a target of 145 for India
Riding on the fifties of Zakir Hasan and Liton Das, Bangladesh set a target of 145 for India to win the Dhaka Test. Given the situation they were in, it was a good effort from the tailenders of the hosts.
Bangladesh ended their first innings on 231, with Liton scoring the highest of 73.
They started the day with seven without losing any wickets. But in the first session of the day, Bangladesh lost four wickets, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque and Mushfiuqr Rahim failing to offer any challenge to the Indian bowlers.
But Zakir and Liton proved that a little patience would have resulted in a bigger score for the Tigers.
Read more: Dhaka Test: Bangladesh opt to bat first with two changes vs India
Axar Patel bagged three wickets for India while Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammad Siraj took two wickets each.
Nurul Hasan Sohan and Taskin Ahmed posted 31 each, helping the hosts to get a lead close to 150.
India will have around 23 overs on the third day.
Earlier, India posted 314 in their first innings in reply to Bangladesh’s 227 and secured a first-innings lead of 87 runs.
Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer were India's most successful batters, posting 93 and 87 runs, respectively.
Read more: Dhaka Test: India secure 87-run 1st innings lead after day two
Dhaka Test: Bangladesh facing tough challenge on day 3 vs India
Bangladesh are facing a tough challenge in the Dhaka Test match against India. In their second innings, they went to lunch on day three four wickets down for 71 runs, still trailing India by 16 runs.
India responded with 314 in their first innings, securing an 87-run lead over Bangladesh’s first innings of 227. Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam demonstrated remarkable bowling performances with four wickets each.
Bangladesh openers Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan remained unbeaten with seven runs on the board at the end of day two.
Read more: Dhaka Test: India secure 87-run 1st innings lead after day two
In the morning session of day three, Ravichandran Ashwin sent back Shanto for 5. The destruction did not end there as Mominul Haque, Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim followed suit soon after, with scores of 13, 5 and 9, respectively.
While others failed to hold on, Zakir faced more than 96 balls and scored 37 runs.
Right before lunch, Liton Das came in to pair up with Zakir. Now, the onus is on them to bat as long as possible in order to offer India tough fourth innings.
Taijul laments missed chances, still thinks Dhaka Test winnable
Bangladesh are trailing by 80 runs in the Dhaka Test against India after day two. Taijul Islam, who took four wickets in India's first innings, believes that Bangladesh could have been in a stronger position now, were it not for some sloppy fielding.
Bangladesh failed to capitalize on two great chances - a stumping chance against Rishabh Pant and a catch dropped off Shreyas Iyer, which could have greatly impacted the game.
While Rishabh scored 93, Iyer posted 87— the best two individual totals of India’s innings.
"To be honest, our fielding was a bit sloppy," Taijul declared in the post-day press conference. "It's rare to get opportunities such as these while competing with heavyweight teams like India."
Taijul is confident that Bangladesh are still well-positioned in the match despite being behind India by 80 runs in the first innings. He believes it will be a challenging task for India if Bangladesh can set a target of 250 or more in the final innings.
“We don't know how the wicket would behave on the fourth and fifth day,” he said. “If we can take a lead of 250 runs, I think it would be good for us.”
India started the day on 19/0, and ended their first innings all out for 314, securing a lead of 87 runs after Bangladesh were bowled out for 227 on day one.
Read more: Dhaka Test: Bangladesh opt to bat first with two changes vs India
At stumps on day 2, Bangladesh were batting at 7/0. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan ended the day unscathed.
Earlier, Taijul had taken three wickets of his four first innings wickets in the first session to rock the Indian innings, leaving the visitors teetering at 94/4 at one stage of the morning. But Bangladesh struggled to contain Rishabh and Shreyas in the second session, as they established a steady 159-run stand for the fifth wicket. Their partnership was eventually broken by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, when he got rid of Rishabh.
Shakib Al Hasan, recovered from the injury that prevented him from bowling in Chattogram, chipped in with four wickets later, as India lost their last six wickets for just 61 runs.
Read more: Dhaka Test: Bangladesh end first innings on 365
“We have been doing well in this Test so far,” Taijul said. “It would be great if we could beat India. We would take the field keeping a win in mind.”
Dhaka Test: Taijul draws first blood on day two against India
Taijul Islam was in fine form on day two of the Dhaka Test, claiming three wickets and putting India under pressure by making runs difficult to come by.
India were at 19 for none at the end of day one. But they got off to a shaky start on day two in response to Bangladesh's first innings total of 227.
At lunch of day two, India were batting at 83 for three, with Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant not out for 18 and 12, respectively.
Read more: Siddons blames Bangladesh's batting collapse in Dhaka Test on mental lapses
Indian captain Lokesh Rahul was the first batter to fall prey to Taijul. Although he tried to defend a delivery of the left-arm spinner, the ball hit his front pad first. Bangladesh appealed for an lbw, but the umpire was not convinced. However, the review revealed that the ball was indeed heading for the stumps and Rahul had no choice but to walk off the field.
Shubman Gill became the next prey of Taijul. The ball hit his pad and the appeal for an lbw was convincing enough for the umpire to declare him out.
India lost both openers with only 38 runs on the board. But the third wicket partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat was going well. However, their stand was cut short as Mominul Haque took a sharp catch at the short fine leg, allowing Taijul to claim his third wicket in the match, dismissing Pujara.
Read more: Dhaka Test: Umesh, Ashwin run rampant, leave Bangladesh floundering
Bangladesh opted to bat first in the Dhaka Test, with Mominul Haque contributing 84 runs to their 227/10. This was Mominul's first fifty after 12 innings.
For India, Umesh Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin each bagged four wickets.
Siddons blames Bangladesh's batting collapse in Dhaka Test on mental lapses
Batting collapse after batting collapse has ruined good, strong positions of Bangladesh in many matches.
After a disappointing first day of the Dhaka Test against India, Bangladesh's batting coach Jamie Siddons said a lack of focus and concentration while batting on day one hurt Bangladesh's progress in the match.
Read more: Dhaka Test: Umesh, Ashwin run rampant, leave Bangladesh floundering
"There were numerous lapses in concentration when our batsmen were set. This hurts us. It is particularly disheartening to see senior members repeatedly making mental errors," he added.
Siddons called on the Tigers to understand their capabilities and be committed to making the most of every opportunity to capitalise on a good start.
"We have to take into consideration the conditions, the state of the match, our form and abilities. We must decide what is realistic and then try to convert our starts into big scores," Siddons said.
About sidelining Mominul Haque for the Chattogram Test Siddons said: "It was the selectors' decision. We gave him a rest as he was playing for Bangladesh A and not doing well. We gave him a bit of time to get back into the swing of things, and forget about those failures," he said.
About Shakib Al Hasan and Liton Das' failure to convert good starts into big scores, Siddons said: "Shakib has a habit of coming down the pitch at spinners and fast bowlers, attempting to alter their line of attack; however, this is a risky move to make post-lunch when the bowler is likely to be a bit off the mark."
Read more: Dhaka Test: Bangladesh loses openers in 1st session vs India
"Liton, he needs to hit the ball along the ground – something that he has been struggling with since transitioning from T20s."
The Bangladesh coaching staff believes that the team should have scored more than the 227 that they managed in the first innings.
"We should have scored at least 300 runs in the first innings," Siddons said.
India's Umesh Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin capitalised on Bangladesh's errors, both registering four wickets each.
"We need to keep reminding ourselves of the importance of scoring big and build a foundation using which batsmen can get the most out of the first innings. The main priority for us should be to play Test matches without making any mental errors," Siddons said.