Cricket: Bangladesh progress steadily on opening day

Mushfiqur, Tamim hit half-centuries in first Test against West Indies.

CHITTAGONG:

Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal cracked impressive half-centuries to help Bangladesh post 255 for four against the West Indies on the opening day of the first Test.

Wicket-keeper Rahim scored an unbeaten 68 in his first Test as captain and left-handed opener Tamim also made a valuable contribution of 52 as Bangladesh batted steadily to consolidate their position after winning the toss on a good pitch.

Rahim, who scored his seventh 50 in Tests, added 79 runs for the fourth wicket with former captain Shakib Al Hasan (40) to prop up the innings after Tamim and Raqibul Hasan (41) fell in the afternoon session.

Tamim batted patiently for more than a session before falling to a loose shot, caught by teenager Kraigg Brathwaite off the bowling of part-time spinner Marlon Samuels.

He cracked five fours in his 141-ball knock for his ninth half-century in 21 Test matches.

“We batted well today and will try to bat as long as we can,” said Tamim. “I think a total of 320 or 350 will be good on this pitch.

“At the moment, I’m not in my best form but the way I batted I’m quite satisfied.”

Middle-order batsman Raqibul, returning to the Test side after more than a year, was trapped leg-before by Darren Sammy after hitting three fours in his 92-ball knock.

Samuels bagged two wickets, while pacemen Ravi Rampaul and Sammy took one apiece. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2011.