First Test, Chttagong, day three (close):
India 243 & 122-1 v Bangladesh 242
Match scorecard  Gambhir made his international debut in April 2003 |
India finished the third day of the first Test on 122-1, opening a second-innings lead of 123 against Bangladesh. After another late start in Chittagong, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim shared 108 to help the Tigers to 242, one run short of India's first-innings total. Virender Sehwag gave India an explosive start with four fours and a six in 45. After he was out in the 17th over, ending a stand of 90 with Gautam Gambhir (47 not out), nightwatchman Amit Mishra hit five fours in his 24. Having lost three wickets for 30 within the opening 14 overs, the Tigers needed some resistance and it was provided by the seventh-wicket pair. Wicketkeeper Rahim played confidently before he was the first to fall, caught off the top-edge by Sehwag at mid-wicket attempting to hit Mishra against the turn, having struck six fours in his 104-ball 44. Mahmudullah hit some stylish shots in his career-best 108-ball 69, the 23-year-old's maiden fifty in only his third Test, before being caught behind off paceman Sreesanth attempting to guide to third man. Hopes of securing a first-innings lead over India for the first time in six Tests between the teams were dashed when the final three wickets fell in as many overs.  | 606: DEBATE |
Sehwag was in customary fluent form, but three balls after hitting slow left-armer Shakib-Al-Hasan for a glorious straight six he skewed to square-leg attempting another bold stroke. Mahmudullah insisted that with conditions still favourable, Bangladesh were not out of the Test. "India are only leading by 123 runs. If we get early wickets, we can get a positive result," he said. "There is not as much turn in the wicket as it was on the first day. On this wicket, a target of 270-280 and even 300 is chaseable." However, India paceman Zaheer Khan, who removed Shakib-Al-Hasan after the Tigers skipper scored 16 of his 17 runs in boundaries, said: "It was a good bowling effort. Basically they were just playing shots, so it was important that we stick to our areas and be patient. "Definitely the wicket improved as play went on. We are happy with the proceedings."
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