India’s bowlers made early inroads into Bangladesh’s batting lineup on the rain-hit opening day of the second Test in Dhaka. Pacer Akash Deep impressed with his probing opening spell, while Ravichandran Ashwin removed the dangerous Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Despite overcast conditions and a delayed start due to overnight rain, India’s bowlers maintained a consistent line and length. Akash Deep, bowling round the wicket to the left-handers, consistently hit the good length areas and got the ball to either shape away or come in with the angle.
Bangladesh’s openers, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam, played cautiously against the initial bounce and seam movement. However, Akash Deep broke the partnership by inducing an edge from Hasan to Yashasvi Jaiswal. He soon sent back Shadman on a ball that came in and caught him in front of the wicket.
Shanto, who has been in good rhythm, began with two shots to the fence but was trapped in front by Ashwin in the third over of the second session. The Bangladesh skipper reviewed the decision but to no avail.
Seasoned Mominul Haque grew in confidence as he spent more time at the crease. He hit two boundaries off Akash in a single over and later hit an exquisite drive through mid-off. He raised Bangladesh’s hundred with another four.
Only nine overs were bowled in the second session when bad light stopped play even as the flood lights were on, forcing the players off the field. Light drizzle followed and soon it was pouring.
With the weather forecast predicting further rain, it remains to be seen how much play will be possible on the remaining days of the Test match.
