Second Test, Mirpur, day three (close):
Bangladesh 233 & 228-3 v India 544-8 dec
Match scorecard
 Tamim leaps for joy after reaching his century at the Shere Bangla Stadium |
Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal struck a brilliant century to hold up India's push for victory on day three of the second Test at Mirpur. The 20-year-old left-hander was out shortly before the close after hitting three sixes and 18 fours in his 151. He shared a second-wicket stand of exactly 200 with Junaid Siddique (55) to help the home side reach 228-3. India earlier declared on 544-8, a first innings lead of 311, after Mahendra Dhoni was stumped for 89. Skipper Dhoni had no option but to call a halt with Rahul Dravid nursing a fractured jaw after being hit by a Shahadat Hossain bouncer on the second day and Yuvraj Singh unable to bat because of a wrist injury. India's hopes of wrapping up the match with two days to spare were given a boost when Zaheer Khan had Imrul Kayes caught behind for five in the fifth over of the Bangladesh second innings. But Tamim took the attack to the bowlers in a dazzling counter-attack, which saw him race to 50 off only 49 balls.  | 606: DEBATE |
A player of tremendous potential, but previously lacking the consistency to thrive in Test cricket, he was undaunted by the match situation and continued to go for his shots. He hit successive deliveries from off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for four and six and shortly after took an even heavier toll of left-armer Pragyan Ojha with two boundaries followed by another six over mid-wicket to take him into the 90s. Tamim, who made 128 against West Indies in St Vincent last year, showed no sign of nerves as he brought up his second Test century by gloving a boundary to fine leg off Zaheer. Siddique was content to play the anchor role, but collected five fours of his own as they set a new record for the highest stand in a Test by two Bangladesh batsmen, beating the 191 by Mohammad Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahim against Sri Lanka three years ago. India, who won the first Test by 113 runs, had a chance to break the partnership when Tamim, on 138, top-edged an attempted sweep shot off Virender Sehwag but Sachin Tendulkar was unable to hang on to a diving catch in the deep and hurt his shoulder in the process.  Sachin Tendulkar leaves the field for treatment with India physio Nitin Patel |
And when they eventually made the breakthrough, it was Siddique who went, edging to keeper Dhoni after being tempted into driving at an angled delivery from Zaheer. Bangladesh sent out Shahadat as nightwatchman in the hope of preventing any further loss before the close but Zaheer struck again by finding just enough movement to have Tamim caught behind. "If we had not lost two wickets towards the end, we would have been on top. I hope one batsman now makes a big score and another 60 or 70 runs, then we will be in a competitive position. "This innings is so far my best. I played my natural game. I always enjoy scoring against India," Tamim said afterwards.
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