Mortaza helps Bangladesh avoid follow-on

Mortaza helps Bangladesh avoid follow-on

Monday May 21, 06:55 PM

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh (Reuters) - India lost two early wickets in their second innings on Monday to finish the fourth day of the first test against Bangladesh on 44 for two, 193 runs ahead. Bangladesh managed to avoid the follow-on largely due to the efforts of Mashrafe Mortaza who scored 79 and a maiden half century. They were all out for 238 in their first innings after the tea interval. India opener Dinesh Karthik (15) and Sachin Tendulkar (24) were not out at the close after opener Wasim Jaffer was out for a duck and Rahul Dravid departed for two. Jaffer was caught at mid-off by captain Habibul Bashar off a delivery from pacer Shahadat Hossain, who also removed Dravid, caught by Rajin Saleh at mid-wicket. Tail-ender Mortaza, helped by Shahadat Hossain, built a ninth-wicket partnership of 77 runs, a record for Bangladesh, to save the team from humiliation but they still trailed in the first innings by 149 runs. India paceman R.P. Singh and spinner V.R.V. Singh took three wickets apiece for 45 and 48. Paceman Zaheer Khan took the other wicket to fall. Mortaza hit three sixes in his 91-ball innings to cheer the home crowd after Sunday's play was washed out. India had declared their first innings closed at 387 early in the day in an attempt to force a result. Rajin Saleh scored 41 for the hosts before he was caught by Saurav Ganguly at point off Powar. Shahriar Nafees (32) and Saqibul Hasan (27) were the only other batsmen to trouble the scorers. The tourists had resumed on 384 for six but lost two wickets for three runs in 11 overs before skipper Rahul Dravid opted to declare. Pacemen Mortaza and Shahadat picked up a wicket apiece to finish with four for 97 and three for 76. India spinner Anil Kumble is likely to miss the remainder of the first test after suffering from a fever. Kumble was unable to resume batting on Monday and officials said the 36-year-old was taking medication and resting.

The second of the two-match series begins on Friday.