First Test, Fatullah, day two (stumps): Bangladesh 427 v Australia 145-6  Shahadat Hossain removed Ricky Ponting for 21 |
One of the biggest upsets in cricket could be on the cards after Bangladesh seized control of the first Test against the world's top team Australia. After posting 427 in their first innings - only the fourth time they have passed 400 in Test cricket - they reduced Australia to 145-6 on day two.
Left-arm spinners Mohammad Rafique and Enamul Haque jnr did the damage with Rafique taking 2-40 and Haque 2-14.
Australia still need an awkward 83 runs to avoid the follow-on in Fatullah.
Bangladesh have only ever won one Test match in their six years as a Test nation and that was against a depleted Zimbabwe side.
But in the two days of action against Australia, they have batted sensibly and confidently and their spinners have hoodwinked the experienced tourists.
Australia, unbeaten in Tests since last August, are now relying on the experienced Gilchrist to save their blushes.
He was unbeaten on 51 at the close after hitting two fours in the last over of the day to move to his 23rd half-century in Test cricket - his first in an overseas Test for more than a year.
Australia were reduced to 50-3 at tea after losing Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn.
 Rafique picked up two wickets as Bangladesh's spinners took charge |
Hayden was trapped lbw for six in the third over by Mashrafe Mortaza and Ponting fell the same way, pinned in front by Shahadat Hossain for 21.
Martyn became Rafique's first wicket, in the final over before tea, when he edged a cut shot onto his stumps.
The innings continued in the same vein after the interval.
Hussey battled 63 balls before playing on to Rafique for 23 before Haque struck twice, removing Clarke for 18 and Warne for six.
Clarke was beaten by turn to be bowled off-stump while Warne was ousted by a similar ball which he edged to wicket-keeper Khaled Mashud.
Gilchrist and Lee (13 not out) managed to stem the tide but Australia still face a real battle.
Earlier Bangladesh lost their last four wickets for 29 runs, with Stuart MacGill claiming a career-best 8-108.
Bangladesh had resumed on 355-5 and lost only one wicket in the morning session, Mashud being stumped by Gilchrist off MacGill for 17.
The hosts subsided after lunch, despite 67 from Rajin Saleh, who was finally caught by Andrew Symonds at short leg.
Australia's senior leg-spinner Warne did not bowl on Monday morning.
The all-time leading Test wicket-taker complained of a sore shoulder the previous day after bowling 20 overs for 112 runs and no wickets.
MMIX
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