India thump Bangladesh by 113 runs

Zeecric Bureau Chittagong: Despite Mushfiqur Rahim’s fine century, the target of 415 proved too much for Bangladesh as they were wrapped up for 301 in their second innings, thus giving India victory by 113 runs. Reeling at 170/7 at one stage, the Bangladesh second innings was given some respectability by a late order surge that saw 131 runs being added in quick time for the last three wickets. Rahim (101) was the chief contributor, who along with Mahmudullah (20) and Shahdat Hossain (24) took the total forward. For India, Amit Mishra was the most successful bowler with 4 scalps while Ishant Sharma also chipped in with 3 wickets. Sachin Tendulkar was declared Man of the Match for his first innings ton.However, what should have been a comfortable victory by the top ranked Test team in the world over the bottom ranked side seemed like a struggle after India were dismissed for just 243 in their first innings and Bangladesh came within a run-short of that total in their first essay. But, it was India’s second innings total of 413/8 dec. that made all the difference. The two teams now move on to Dhaka where the second and final Test begins on January 24. First Session Play started on Day five after about 30 minutes as dense fog had reduced visibility. Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraful, the overnight not-out batsmen, started the proceedings for the home team. Ishant Sharma provided India with the ideal start as he removed Mohammad Ashraful in just the fourth over of the day. Ashraful was well caught by Rahul Dravid at second slip for 27 as he looked to drive a good length delivery on the up but ended up edging it. Sharma took his second wicket of the morning and third in the Bangladesh second innings as he sent back Raqibul Hasan to reduce the home team to 97/4. Raqibul was trapped plumb in front of the wickets for 13 off a delivery that just came in after pitching. Soon after losing their fourth wicket in the form of Raqibul Hasan, Bangladesh crossed the 100-run mark, still well away from securing a draw. Tamim Iqbal completed his half-century off 106 balls and included six boundaries. After Ishant Sharma took a couple of wickets to break the back of the Bangladesh batting line-up on Day 5, Virender Sehwag joined the fun as he struck almost immediately after coming into the attack. Viru accounted for the wicket of half-centurion Tamim Iqbal. Tamim scored 52 before he edged a catch to slip where Rahul Dravid made no mistake. With five wickets down and an imminent defeat staring them in the face, Bangladesh went into the lunch break at 136/5.Post-Lunch Session The home team received a huge blow soon after lunch as skipper Shakib Al Hasan was sent back to the pavilion by Amit Mishra. Shakib, who could manage just 17, was bamboozled by a googly that took the top of the bat and lobbed on into the waiting hands of Virender Sehwag at silly point. Soon after, Zaheer Khan took India one step closer to victory as he had Mahmudullah caught behind the wickets by Dinesh Karthik off a delivery just outside off stump that took the edge of the batsman’s bat. Bangladesh’s lower order pair of Shahadat Hossain and Mushfiqur Rahim brought up their 50-run partnership to keep alive the home team’s hopes of salvaging a draw in the Test. Shahadat Hossain became the eighth Bangladesh batsman to take the long walk back to the pavilion after he was cleaned up by Mishra for 24. Amit Mishra took the visitors another step closer to victory as he sent back Shafiul Islam to reduce Bangladesh to 258/9. Islam scooped up a flighted delivery and Mishra took a sharp catch off his own bowling. Centurion Rahim was the last batsman to fall as he was caught by substitute fielder Pragyan Ojha off Mishra.