Tamim Iqbal celebrated his birthday with an explosive 85 as Bangladesh posted 330-8 on the opening day of the second and final Test against England here today.
The left-handed opener, who turned 21, put the England attack to the sword in a magnificent display of strokeplay, smashing one six and 13 fours in his 71-ball knock. He completed his half-century off just 34 balls.
Mohammad Mahmudullah (59), skipper Shakib Al Hasan (49), Junaid Siddique (39) and wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim (30)
fell when looking well-set. Naeem Islam was unbeaten on 33 at
the close.
England had to work hard for wickets but still did not allow the hosts to build a big partnership on a batsman-friendly track, with spinners Graeme Swann (3-94) and James Tredwell (2-85) being the main wicket-takers.
Tamim looked set to achieve a rare feat of scoring a century in the opening session before being caught by wicketkeeper Matt Prior while attempting to sweep debutant Tredwell nine overs before the lunch break.
Only Australians Victor Trumper, Charles Macartney and Don Bradman, and Pakistan's Majid Khan have scored a century in the opening session of a Test.
