Tigers recover after openers depart in quick succession

Bangladesh openers would be disappointed from getting out in quick succession after they remained unscathed in the opening hour of the opening day of the Dhaka Test today.

Having opted to bat first, the Tigers head to Lunch after piling up 82 for two in 28 overs.

The early morning conditions and the pitch of the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur offered plenty of assistance for the Indian seamers but the Bangladesh openers, with fortune by their side, showed good composure to negotiate the lateral movement and bounce.  

Najmul Hossain Shanto had the majority of the strike, while Zakir Hasan had the better strike-rate as the two hit double digits in sync. Umesh Yadav has been impressive from the get go and troubled Shanto on several occasions. 

With Bangladesh at 39 for no loss, India struck with Jaydev Unadkat, who is back in the India Test team after over 12 years since making his debut. Unadkat was the one to generate significant bounce and it reaped rewards for him as Zakir (15) failed to leave a short-pitched delivery that rapped the gloves of the centurion of the Chattogram Test.

Shanto (24) soon followed suit in the next over, falling prey to a Ravichandran Ashwin delivery that held its line.  

Following Shanto's departure, captain Shakib Al Hasan promoted himself up the order and he alongside former captain Mominul Haque saw through the remaining overs of the opening session.   

Shakib was in no mood to stay defensive and he took on Ashwin with a couple of lofted shots, the latter going for a maximum over deep mid wicket after driving the off-spinner on the up through extra cover. However, Shakib (16 not out) would consider himself lucky as wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant missed a stumping chance in the last over before Lunch to deny Ashwin a second wicket.

Meanwhile, Mominul (23 not out) managed to avoid an unwanted record as he reached double figures after failing to do so in his previous nine outings.