Bangladesh fail to build partnerships as India dominate morning session

Bangladesh batters failed to build partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals, as India dominated the morning session of Day 3 of their second Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday. 

At Lunch, Bangladesh reached 71 for the loss of four wickets, still trailing by 16 runs in their second innings. Opener Zakir Hasan has been the only one who looked solid throughout, with the left-hander unbeaten on 37 off 96 deliveries. Zakir is now accompanied by Liton Das at the other end. However, Liton, who was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders last night during the Indian Premier League auction, is yet to open his account.

The session belonged largely to the visitors as it yielded 64 runs for the loss of four wickets in 27 overs. 

Experienced campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim was the last man to depart in the session as Axar Patel did brilliantly to set up the batter for an LBW. After having beaten the outside edge of the right-hander twice with sharp turns in the previous over, Axar trapped in front Mushfiqur with a length delivery that came back in with the angle to hit on the pads. 

Mushfiqur reviewed the original decision but to no avail as another growing partnership (19 off 39) fizzled out. Mushfiqur walked out after a 19-ball nine-run knock.    

Before that, just when it seemed like skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Zakir were on course to building a steady partnership, the Bangladesh skipper practically threw his wicket away. The left-hander came forward and pushed at a length delivery from Jaydev Unadkat, only managing to give away a simple catch to the fielder at extra cover. 

Shakib had to walk away after a 36-ball 13 as the wicket ended a 25-run stand between him and Zakir. 

Before that, Bangladesh had lost two wickets inside the first 30 minutes of the day's play. Opener Najmul Hossain Shanto (5 off 31) was trapped in front by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the day's second over before Mominul Haque (5 off 9) was caught behind off a Mohammed Siraj delivery.