Tamim Iqbal marked his first Test at Lord’s with a breathtaking century as Bangladesh fought back gamely against England on the fourth day of their series opener here on Sunday.
Bangladesh, following on, were 189/2 in their second innings at tea — 34 behind England’s first innings 505 after the Tigers had been bowled out earlier in the day for 282.
Tamim, who made 103 at better than a run-a-ball, shared a Bangladesh record first-wicket stand of 185 with fellow left-hander Imrul Kayes (75) as they dominated England’s four-man attack.
But fast bowler Steven Finn, playing his first Test in England on his Middlesex home ground, then removed both openers in a spell of 2/1 in 14 balls shortly before tea.
That meant Bangladesh would have to resume with both Junaid Siddique and Jahurul Islam unbeaten on nought.
At lunch, the Tigers were 61 without loss.
Tamim was 31 not out and Kayes 30 not out, with both men batting positively as they had done in the first innings when only a run-out ended a stand of 88.
Both batsmen rode their luck as they edged through the slips.
But there was no denying Tamim’s class when he pulled Finn for four to bring up Bangladesh’s first century opening stand against England and only their third in all. — AFP
Scores (at tea): England 505 vs Bangladesh 282 & 189/2 (Iqbal 103, Kayes 75; Finn 2/38)