Tamim Iqbal stands lone as Bangladesh crumble by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Chittagong Divisional Stadium, Chittagong
Scorecard:	Bangladesh v England
Player:	SCJ Broad, GP Swann, IR Bell, PD Collingwood, Tamim Iqbal
Event:	England in Bangladesh 2009/10

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DateLine: 13th March 2010

 

The English side continued their utter dominance over the Bangladeshi side as they kept their foot firmly on the throat of the hosts as they floundered. England ran up a huge score of 599 for the loss of 6 wickets with Paul Collingwood joining his skipper by scoring a century. Bangladesh in reply managed 154 for the loss of 5 wickets in the 39 overs they faced for the day.

 

Earlier Cook (173, 283b, 2x6, 16x4) was looking set for a huge score but his innings was cut shot when he slapped a gentle full toss from the off-spinner Mahmudullah back to the bowler. Collingwood (145, 188b, 4x6, 10x4) and Bell (84, 104b, 4x9) after their initial circumspection opened up to tear the Bangladeshi bowlers to shreds. The pair found the boundary ropes regularly as the Bangladeshi bowlers ran out of ideas.

 

The pair added 184 runs in 34.4 overs before Collingwood departed. Bellhad a chance to complete his century but Shakib Al Hasan and Rubel Hossain combined to disrupt his march to his century. Once Bell was sent back to the hut Cook showed some positive streak in his captaincy by declaring just before the tea break so that his pacemen could have a crack at the Bangladeshi batsmen.

 

Stuart Broad continued his short ball affinity as he banged the ball short repeatedly. But the batsmen facing him were not of highest calibre and the bowler enjoyed some success. Imrul Kayes (4, 9b, 1x4) and Junaid Siddique (7, 17b, 1x4) had no answer to the short balls from Broad as both succumbed cheaply. Swann once again showed his ability to strike in his very first over as he removed Aftab Ahmed (1, 6b) and soon the hosts were reeling at 51 for 3 in 11.4 overs.

 

Tamim Iqbal found a willing partner in Mahmudullah who was willing to grind out the runs. The pair added 94 runs in 18.1 overs to pull the hosts out of the woods. Mahmudullah looked nervous at the beginning and once the initial nervousness disappeared he looked comfortable. Just when the situation was looking bright for the Bangladeshi side tragedy struck the hosts. Swann once again got into the act as he removed Mahmudullah (51, 64b, 1x6, 7x4) and once again all looked gloomy for the hosts. Things got from bad to worse when Shakib Al Hasan (1, 20b) played an ugly swipe across the line against Swann and the team sunk deeper into the mire. Tamim Iqbal (81 batting, 115b, 1x6, 13x4) and night-watchman Shahadat Hossain (0 batting, 4b) remained unbeaten at the crease.