Hosts Bangladesh have set a tricky target of 145 for KL Rahul-led India as Virat Kohli's three dropped catches helped in extending their innings. Half-centuries from Zakir Hasan and Litton Das followed by cameos from Nurul Hasan and Taskin Ahmed helped Bangladesh post 231 in their second innings on Day 3 of the Dhaka Test.
Indian bowlers started off well as Najmul Hossain Shanto (5) was dismissed lbw by Ravichandran Ashwin in the second over of the day. Siraj took the wicket of half-centurion of first innings Mominul Haque (5) few overs later Skipper Shakib Al Hasan started off well but fell to Jaydev Unadkat in the first session itself. Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim could not do damage either and was trapped in front of the wickets by Axar Patel (9). After the first session, Bangladesh were 71/4.
In the second session, India let Bangladesh make a comeback. Zakir got to his half-century but threw his wicket away trying to play an aerial shot off Umesh Yadav. Zakir scored 51 runs from 135 deliveries including five boundaries. Meanwhile, Das decided to take on Patel and hit him for a couple of boundaries. Mehidy Hasan Miraz could not open his account and got lbw by Axar for a five-ball duck.
Nurul played a crucial cameo of 31 off 29 deliveries including two fours and one six. Nurul became Axar's third victim of the day as he danced down the wicket and got stumped by Rishabh Pant.
Kohli was lacklustre in the field at first slip and put down as many as three catches (excluding the one which he could not get to) as Das and Taskin piled on runs. Das made India pay for the lapses in fielding and scored 73 runs from 98 deliveries including seven fours. Siraj came back into the attack and got through Das’ defenses.
In the next over, Ashwin trapped tailender Taijul Islam (1) as well. The resistance for the home side continued for a while but no.11 batter Khaled Ahmed got run out trying to sneak a single. Taskin remained not out for 31 off 46 deliveries as Bangladesh got all out for 231.
