India reach 67 for no loss at lunch sans hiccups

Dhaka, May 25 (UNI) India reached 67 for no loss at lunch on the opening day of the final Test against Bangladesh at the Mirpur stadium here today.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field hoping that the pace bowlers would reap a rich harvest under the overcast conditions. The ploy almost worked with Dinesh Kaarthick obliging with a thick edge to the second slip of the bowling of Syed Rasel, only to see Shakib-al-Hasan floor the dolly.

Later, the opener made the most of the life as she showed his class with some exquisite shots straight down the ground in the cover region.

Bashar effected three changes in his bowling department, which includes changing ends for his strike bowler Mortaza, but with it resulted in no success.

Though Kaarthick looked a little tentative in the beginning, he grafted on with the pitch giving some assistance to the bowlers. At lunch he was unbeaten on 22 with three sweet boundaries.

However, Wasim Jaffer who got a pair last match, was a picture of confidence. He drove the bowlers repeatedly of the front foot.

Jaffer's square drive of Mohammed Sharif in his inaugural over remained the signature shot of the morning.

Undefeated at 40 with six hits to the fence, he looked all set for a big one here to shut up his detractors.

Earleir, the hosts recalled 21-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Sharif, who played the last of his eight Tests in 2002, at the expense of Enamul Haque (Jr), while Syed Rasel made it to the XI as Shahadat Hossain was down with fever. India, on the other hand, gave rookie pacer Ishant Sharma his first Test cap, after he was called up as Munaf Patel flew back home with injury.

Anil Kumble who did not bowl in the last game owing to a viral fever, looked fit and ready to go here. India could only hope that he would get some rich rewards and lend some teeth to the bowling department which otherwise looked very ordinary at Chittagong.

Both teams were hoping for a rain-free match after bad weather wiped out any prospect of a result in the first Test. However, scattered clouds hovering over the ground kept the groundsmen on their feet.

Dav Whatmore's tenure as coach of Bangladesh comes to an end after this match and Bangladesh would be hoping to give a fitting tribute to their outgoing coach for his wonderful four year service.

UNI