Ground: | Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood |
Scorecard: | England v Bangladesh |
Player: | Imrul Kayes, Tamim Iqbal |
Event: | Bangladesh in British Isles 2010 |
The Bangladeshi side displayed their determination and their refusal to be cowed down by reputation. The last time England played Bangladesh in England was in 2005 which was infact the last preparations before the 2005 Ashes. This time around the short series against Bangladesh is one of the few steps in their preparation for the Ashes. Today's play showed that the bowling attack is far from being prepared and on day when there will be no assistance from the pitch the bowling is bound to struggle.
 
Tamim Iqbal made a breathtaking century as Bangladesh fought back on the fourth day. He was well supported by other team mates as the visitors displayed a much more better back-bone. Earlier the Bangladeshi side could not avoid the follow-on and Strauss in an attempt to put pressure on the visitors decided to enforce the follow-on. Tamim Iqbal seemed to have only one agenda on his mind as he entered the field and that was to attack. The pugnacious southpaw was in some aggressive mood as he tore apart the four man attack with ease.
 
The English bowlers failed to create any sort of impression on Tamim Iqbal who was hell bent on attacking no matter what. The bowlers bowlers short, full but the fact that they were bowled in one pace made it all the more difficult for them to dislodge Tamim Iqbal. He was well supported by Imrul Kayes as the left-hander passed the fifty run mark for the first time in his career.
 
Tamim's hundred was the first by a Bangladesh batsman in England, and his will be the second Bangladeshi name etched onto the honours board at Lord's after Shahadat Hossain made his mark with 5 for 98 in England's first innings. He struck 15 fours and two sixes in reaching his century from just 94 balls - the fastest by a Bangladesh batsman in Tests, the fastest at Lord's since Mohammad Azharuddin's effort in 1990, and just the sixth Bangladeshi Test hundred outside of subcontinent. Finn persisting with the bouncer strategy finally removed Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes as he opened up the gates for the middle order. But Junaid Siddique and Jahurul Islam inspired by their opener's feat dug their heels in take Bangladesh ahead. Though the English bowlers struck latter in the day with the wickets of Ashraful and Shahadat Hossain Bangladesh had the upper hand for the major part of the day.