Tamim Iqbal’s typically dashing 42 not out led a Bangladesh counterattack on the second day of the first Test against England at Lord’s here on Friday.
At tea, Bangladesh were 67/0 but still 438 runs behind an England first innings 505 that featured Jonathan Trott’s Test best 226 and the Tigers needed a further 239 to avoid the follow-on in the first of a two-match series.
But diminutive left-hander Tamim, who had left the field earlier on Friday after appearing to aggravate a wrist injury while diving into a boundary rope, was undaunted, his runs coming off 47 balls with six boundaries.
He hit through the line against Tim Bresnan for an impressive off-side four.
Bresnan’s five overs cost an expensive 25 runs and he was replaced by 6ft 7in tall fast bowler Steven Finn, playing his first Test in England. But, on his Middlesex home ground, Finn’s third delivery was driven straight down the ground by Tamim.
Fellow left-hander Imrul Kayes was unbeaten on 22, with the nearest Bangladesh came to losing a wicket a couple of potential run-outs.
Tamim’s approach was in contrast to that of Trott, whose maiden Test innings at Lord’s spanned over eight hours and featured 349 balls with 20 fours.
It was also Trott’s second century in as many Test innings in England after his 119 on debut against Australia in the second innings at The Oval last year.
Trott was one of five wickets for fast bowler Shahadat Hossain, whose return of 5/98 in 28 overs was the best by a Bangladesh bowler in a Test innings against England. — AFP
Scores (at tea): England 505 (Trott 226, Shahadat 5/98) vs Bangladesh 67/0 (Tamim 42 batting, Kayes 22 batting)