England are set to face the top-ranked Test team, India, within a fortnight and if their ongoing batting display in Bangladesh is anything to go by, it is going to be tough two months ahead for the Englishmen batsmen against the Indian spinners.
Day two of the second Test against Bangladesh at Mirpur began with England at 50/3, before they were soon struggling at 144/8. However, a ninth-wicket partnership between Chris Woakes (46) and Adil Rashid (44) of 99 runs took England to 244 with a first-innings lead of 24 runs before being bowled out. Mehdi Hasan took 6/82 and Taijul Islam got 3/65 to dismantle the English batsmen. Bangladesh in their first innings had made 220.
Bangladesh began their second innings with positive intent, reaching 152/3 at the end of day’s play. Imrul Kayes hit an unbeaten 59 and Mohammad Mahmudullah was bowled by debutant Zafar Ansari on 47 on the final ball of the day. Bangladesh have a lead of 128 runs and looking for their first win in Test cricket against England.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh 220 and 152/3 (Imrul Kayes 59 not out; Zafar Ansari 2/33) lead England 244 (Joe Root 56; Mehedi Hasan 6/82) by 128 runs.
