India tighten noose despite Zakir's debut century

Despite a brilliant century of opener Zakir Hasan on debut, Bangladesh failed to resist India from tightening its noose to win the first Test.

Bangladesh ended the day four on 272-6 in the chase of 513-run target and with just four wickets in hands, the home side still needs 241 runs for an unlikely victory, going into the fifth day of the game. 

Captain Shakib Al Hasan was batting on 40 and played some attacking shots in the late afternoon to entertain a sparse crowd at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here today. Mehdiy Hasan Miraz was with him on 9.

Zakir Hasan made exact 100 before being out while his fellow opener Najmul Hossain Shanto added 67. 

Much will depend on Shakib and Mehidy to how far Bangladesh can go but the Tigers never successfully chased down more than 215 runs in the fourth innings for a victory. 

But as they began the day with 42 for no loss, there was a glimmer of hope with openers-Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan putting on 124-run, only a second century partnership in opening stand for Bangladesh in the fourth innings. 

The openers kept Bangladesh unscathed throughout the morning session before Shanto lost his concentration and made a rare mistake, by poking a delivery outside of the off-stump off fast bowler Umesh Yadav. 

The ball popped out from Virat Kohli at slip but wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant quickly tumbled to his left to complete a one-handed catch.

Shanto, who got a first ball duck in the first innings, played 156 balls for his 67 and sent the ball across the ropes for seven times.

India's spinner then took the center stage with left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who ended with 3-50, wrecking havoc on Bangladeshi batting line up.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav who wrecked Bangladesh in the first innings, gave India an edge by getting rid of Liton Das for 19, as the batter charged him needlessly.

But Zakir remained untroubled and dealt with the India bowler with utmost patience. On his debut game, he even brought up some well-judged sweep shots to keep India spinners at bay.

The sweep shot eventually got him the maiden century off 219 balls when he swept Axar behind square for a boundary. 

Zakir indeed became fourth Bangladeshi batter and first opener from the country to hit a century on debut after Aminul Islam Bulbul, Mohammad Ashraful and Abul Hasan. 

He later could survive four more balls before Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed him for his only wicket on the fourth day. Zakir hit 13 fours and one six for his 100 off 224 balls.

Thereafter Axar gave Bangladesh double blow, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim (23) and Nurul Hasan (3) at the same over, leaving the home side at 238-6.

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan played some attacking shots in the late afternoon as Bangladesh saw off the day without further damage. 

Bangladesh were bowled out for 150 in its first innings, in reply to India's 404. India didn't enforce follow-on and declared second innings at 258-2 to set Bangladesh a record target to chase.

Source: BSS