- December 17, 2022 16:05STUMPS DAY 4: BAN 272/6 in 102 overs, need 241 to win
India’s day. Third session: 31 overs, 96 runs and 3 wickets. Bangladesh openers, chasing a mammoth 513, put on a 100-run stand and did not cede an inch in the first session. But India clawed its way back into the match after Lunch. Zakir Hasan scored a brilliant 100 on Test debut but couldn’t add to his tally as he became Ashwin’s first wicket of the match. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav bowled with control and were complemented by aggressive field sets by KL. Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Miraz are at the crease. They are also Bangladesh’s last recognised batting pair. India in driver’s seat at stumps but they still need four wickets to win. We will be back with all action from Day 5. Until then, adios.
- December 17, 2022 15:58Change of ends
Just a change of ends for Axar, who has replaced Kuldeep. Maiden from Axar.
- December 17, 2022 15:55Ashwin into the attack
Ashwin has replaced Axar with day 4 drawing to a close. Just one run from the over.
- December 17, 2022 15:53Shakib farming strike
Our reporter N Sudarshan pings from Chattogram: “Interesting this. Shakib is probably denying singles to Mehidy Hasan because of the left-hander-left-armer match-up. Mehidy scored match-winning knocks in the last two ODIS and looked among the better batters in the first innings.”
- December 17, 2022 15:50Shakib flexing his muscles
Shakib Al Hasan is playing his shots - targetting Kuldeep. He goes inside out over cover for four before sweeping one over deep midwicket for six. Kuldeep and Axar have been bowling in tandem of late. Axar has bowled beautifully and Shakib has tried to farm strike when the left-arm spinner is bowling. Shakib has Mehidy for company.
- December 17, 2022 15:10WAxar gets Mushfiqur, Nurul in one over
Well, that drop does not cost India much. Axar gets the wicket of Mushfiqur next over, with the ball pitching and turning away to beat Mushfiqur’s edge and crash into the stumps. It was a length ball around middle and off and turned after pitching. Nurul Hasan comes to the crease. He is greeted with two slips and two bat-pad fielders. Axar Patel’s getting the new ball to turn more than the old ball and India pick up another wicket in the over. Nurul Hasan has been stumped! Good work from Pant. Nurul was beaten on the outside edge by a full ball. Mehidy is the new man in. BAN 238/6 in 88 overs
- December 17, 2022 15:09Pant drops Mushfiqur
Umesh Yadav replaces Ashwin and nearly gets the wicket of Mushfiqur. He starts with two slips and a catching short midwicket. Mushfiqur pushed at a length ball and the outside edge flew to the right of Pant, who went one-handed and dropped the catch.
- December 17, 2022 14:51Hundreds on Test debut for Bangladesh
Aminul Islam vs India, 2000
Mohammad Ashraful vs SL, 2001
Abul Hasan vs West Indies, 2012
Zakir Hasan vs India, 2022
Note: Second new ball taken
- December 17, 2022 14:40Shakib fired up
Shakib survives a lbw appeal against Axar. The ball turned in from off stump to hit Shakib on the pads. Loud appeal but not given. KL reviews but UltraEdge shows an edge. India lose a review. Shakib responds by hitting the next two balls for a four and a six. Meanwhile, the new ball’s due.
- December 17, 2022 14:32WAshwin has a wicket, at last!
Ashwin showing his class! He bags his first of the match and it’s the prized scalp of the centurion, Zakir. Zakir tried to defend a full ball on middle and off but got an inside edge that brushed his pad and went to first slip, where Kohli took a nice catch diving forward. Zakir goes for 100 off 224 balls. Shakib in next. Good captaincy from KL. Ringing in the bowling changes. Ashwin replaces Kuldeep and gets a wicket.
- December 17, 2022 14:28100TAKE A BOW, ZAKIR!
Zakir Hasan gets to a Test hundred on debut, with a boundary off Axar Patel. Axar has replaced Ashwin. What a knock. He moved into the 90s with a regal lofted shot for six off Kuldeep. Zakir Hasan was the top scorer in the National Cricket League - Bangladesh’s domestic first-class competition - with 442 runs at an average of 55.25. All the hard work paying off. Zakir is only in the team because Tamim Iqbal’s out with an injury. Zakir becomes the fourth Bangladesh player to score a 100 on Test debut. Meanwhile, Bangladesh have crossed the 200-mark.
- December 17, 2022 14:19Mushfiqur’s positive mindset
Kuldeep and Ashwin in tandem. Mushfiqur has come out with a positive mindset. He is not going to deadbat everything as evidenced when he swept a loopy full ball from Kuldeep through deep midwicket for four.
- December 17, 2022 14:08Kuldeep probes away
Kuldeep from the other end. to Zakir. There is a slip, silly point and a deep silly point in place. Zakir gets a single to finish the over.
- December 17, 2022 14:03Ashwin to start after the break
With the ball now turning and bouncing, here’s Ashwin starting off proceedings in the final session. Mushfiqur will be on strike. Leg slip and short leg for Mushfiqur, who skips down the pitch second ball and whips it through midwicket for four. Four from the over.
- December 17, 2022 13:58THIRD SESSION
And we are back. Can Zakir get to his hundred? Can India make further inroads before stumps? Well,we are about to find out.
- December 17, 2022 13:43TEA DAY 4 BAN 176/3 in 71 overs
Zakir survives a probing over from Kuldeep, where he bowled a series of orthodox leg breaks. It’s tea. He is nearing a Test hundred on debut but India will be mighty pleased with that session. Just 57 runs from 29 overs for the loss of three wickets. Kuldeep Yadav has looked threatening and so has Axar Patel. Ashwin’s bowled the odd good ball but Bangladesh batters have found him comparatively easier to play, so far.
Back at 2:00pm.
- December 17, 2022 13:34WKuldeep bags Litton
Kuldeep Yadav had Litton in a tangle. He was clearly uncomfortable against him and KL kept the pressure on with a slip, short leg and silly point. The pressure takes a toll as Litton is eventually caught by Umesh Yadav in an attempt to hit out. Litton had survived a loud lbw appeal off the previous ball. Fair to say Litton caved under pressure. Mushfiqur comes to the crease. He has men around the bat waiting to snaffle an edge. Kuldeep gives two and picks a wicket in that over.
- December 17, 2022 13:14Here’s Kuldeep
Right on cue. Another bowling change. Kuldeep replaces Siraj. Zakir greets him with a boundary first ball - full and flat and duly put away by Zakir. Over the wicket with two slips to the southpaw. Short leg and a slip for Litton. Loud appeal for lbw against Litton off the fifth ball. Not given. KL reviews. That was a close one- impact is umpire’s call and Litton survives. India retain their review. 7 runs from a very good over. Twenty minutes to go for Tea.
- December 17, 2022 13:11Ashwin replaces Axar
Ashwin into the attack. Still no Kuldeep. Litton Das sweeps the first ball to deep square leg for four. Slip, silly point and a catching short cover for left-handed Zakir. Ashwin’s bowling over the wicket to Litton and around to Zakir. He concedes 6 in his first over of a new spell.
- December 17, 2022 13:04BAN 148/2 in 61 overs
Meanwhile, KL Rahul realises how valuable Zakir’s wicket will be at this point. So he sets attacking fields for a player who is batting on 70-odd. Axar Patel comes over the wicket to Zakir with a slip, leg slip, silly point and short leg waiting patiently for that elusive edge. Axar slips in a maiden.
- December 17, 2022 12:57Zakir nears maiden 100
Zakir Hasan has showed tremendous patience and composure. Rarely has he played a loose shot today. He is inching closer to that dream Test hundred on debut. He has the more experienced Litton for company and a lot of time to play with. Lest you forget, Zakir hit a brilliant 173 against India A earlier this month to help Bangladesh A draw the match.
- December 17, 2022 12:47Axar on the charge
Axar starts with a maiden after the drinks break. He came around the wicket with two slips and a short leg for Litton. He is getting some good turn and bounce. On another note, still no signs of Kuldeep. Strange.
- December 17, 2022 12:40DRINKS BAN 141/2 in 57 overs
After that solid start from the Bangladesh openers, India have clawed their way back with two quick wickets. Axar has looked threatening and India would hope he can create further inroads.
- December 17, 2022 12:28Siraj returns
Siraj is back into the attack. Umesh gets a break. Just one run from the over and an appeal for lbw against Litton Das off the last ball. But it was clearly going down leg, hence not given and not reviewed.
- December 17, 2022 12:11WAxar strikes
The most threatening bowler of Day 4 gets his first wicket. Axar Patel castles Yasir! The ball pitches and turns just enough to beat Yasir’s outside edge and crash into the stumps. It was a length delivery on off stump. Litton Das walks in next.
- December 17, 2022 11:56WGONE! BAN 126/1 in 47 overs
There’s the breakthrough India have been waiting for all morning! It comes in the second session courtesy a poor shot from Shanto and good reflex catch from Pant. It’s actually a relay catch. Shanto will be livid with himself. He did well not to chase the wide balls but couldn’t resist this time and hung his bat at a wide ball, sending it to Kohli’s right, who couldn’t gather it cleanly, but Pant was alert and grabbed it with one hand. Yasir at No. 3. Two runs and a wicket.
- December 17, 2022 11:46Axar continues...
Axar from the other end with slip, leg slip and short leg. Solitary run and a stifled appeal for lbw against Zakir in that over.
- December 17, 2022 11:36Action resumes
Zakir will take strike. Umesh to start off proceedings. Just one run from the over.
- December 17, 2022 11:34SECOND SESSION
Welcome back. The pitch has no demons. India need to be patient. Let’s see how the second session pans out. Bangladesh need 384 more to win with all 10 wickets intact.
- December 17, 2022 11:27Not a pretty sight for the bowling coach
- December 17, 2022 11:02LUNCH DAY 4 - BAN 119/0 in 42 overs, Bangladesh need 394 runs
Zakir and Shanto have reached their respective fifties and continue to keep Indian bowlers at bay. All along, commentators have been harping on the nature of the Chattogram pitch and how it tends to get better for batting as the Test moves along. We are seeing a live demonstration of that. Axar looked threatening a few times, but otherwise, it’s clear that Indian bowlers have a long day ahead of them if the wickets don’t fall. Back with the second session in 40.
- December 17, 2022 10:55Injury concern
Zakir has hurt himself while completing a run. Shanto worked an Axar delivery to square leg and took off for a single. Pujara fires in the throw, and hits Zakir near his left knee. He is in some pain. The physio is out to have a look. Zakir looks fine now.
- December 17, 2022 10:5050Zakir reaches 50
Zakir gets to his first Test fifty off 101 balls, he gets there with a single off Axar. Zakir had moved to 49 by stepping out and hitting Axar over midwicket for four. Terrfic knock from the youngster.
- December 17, 2022 10:42Axar replaces Siraj
Axar into the attack with 20 minutes to go for lunch. He is bowling over the wicket with a slip and short leg. There’s a lbw appeal against Zakir off the fifth ball. Some deliberation but no review. Axar starts his new spell with a maiden.
- December 17, 2022 10:36100 stand comes up
Shanto pulls Siraj to deep-midwicket for four. He brings up the 100-run opening stand with that boundary. This is only second 100-plus opening partnership in the fourth innings for the host side. Terrific stuff from both openers
- December 17, 2022 10:30Zakir Hasan nears 50
Zakir Hasan now moves closer to his maiden Test fifty by sweeping Kuldeep to fine leg for four. Just four from that over. Interestingly, no signs of Axar yet.
- December 17, 2022 10:27Mind games
Shanto has stonewalled India to an extent where Siraj now feels the need to exchange words and a stare. Shanto has nothing but a smile for Siraj. This will test Shanto’s temperament. He has batted well, can’t afford to let Siraj get under his skin and force him to playing a false shot.
- December 17, 2022 10:24Kuldeep replaces Ashwin
Kuldeep has replaced Ashwin with less than 45 minutes to go for lunch. He starts with a slip and a silly mid-off and concedes three singles off the first three balls.
- December 17, 2022 10:1350Shanto reaches 50
Shanto brings up his fifty with a single off Ashwin. Third test 50 in 38 innings. Four singles from the over. Ashwin bowling a touch full on the leg stump.
- December 17, 2022 10:10Siraj into attack
Siraj has replaced Umesh after the break. Two men catching in the cordon for Shanto, who is nearing his fifty. There is a slip and a wide gully. Shanto moves to 49 with a brace. Just a couple from that over.
- December 17, 2022 10:00DRINKS
The first hour of play belongs to the Bangladesh openers. They have kept India at bay. That said, the pitch has started playing a few tricks in the last 15-20 minutes with the odd ones turning sharply and bouncing for Ashwin when he operated from over the wicket. BAN 81/0 in 28 overs.
- December 17, 2022 09:56Ashwin trying all sorts
Ashwin continues, but this time from over the wicket. There’s a short leg in place. Ashwin got one to turn sharply past the outside edge of Shanto. It’s a maiden over.
- December 17, 2022 09:47Change of tactic, again
Well, after trying a defensive field, Rahul has brought silly point back at his orthodox position for Ashwin. Zakir and Shanto have picked wisely which balls to defend and which ones to hit. Defending stoutly wouldn’t take this game anywhere.
- December 17, 2022 09:36Ashwin changes line of attack
The ball isn’t turning much or turning as quickly as it was a couple of days back. So no crowded fields for the batters when Ashwin is on. Just a solitary slip. No silly point. Ashwin also bowling fuller, trying to entice the batters into a drive with a man catching for that shot. Interesting passage of play. Zakir actually accepts the invitation and goes inside out over cover to collect four. India wouldn’t mind that.
- December 17, 2022 09:30Umesh replaces Siraj
Meanwhile, Siraj has been taken off the attack. Umesh Yadav replaces him. Around the wicket to Zakir, with a slip, gully and short mid-off. Zakir cashes in on a wide ball with a fierce cut shot for four. Zakir quickly gets off strike next ball. 5 from the over. The wicket has become considerably better for batting.
- December 17, 2022 09:29N. Sudarshan pings from Chattogram
“Will Bangladesh show the stomach for a fight and take the match into the fifth day? The view in the local media circles is that the pitch gets better for batting on the fourth and fifth days. In fact, in Feb 2021, West Indies successfully chased 395 in the final innings here in Chattogram. But still, 513 is near impossible. We will wait and watch.”
- December 17, 2022 09:16Shanto digging in
Shanto is growing in confidence as evidenced from two back-to-back boundaries off the bowling of Siraj. Siraj bowled full on off, and Shanto drove through mid-on for four. Shanto then brought up the team 50 with a flick to the square leg fence for four. This is now Bangladesh’s second 50-plus opening stand in 17 Test innings in 2022.
- December 17, 2022 09:11Ashwin replaces Kuldeep
Just one over for Kuldeep. Ashwin replaces him.Around the stumps, with a slip and silly point for Shanto. Ashwin getting purchase every time he gives the ball air. Debutant Zakir has refrained from chasing Ashwin’s loopy offbreaks so far. One run from Ashwin’s first over of the day. BAN 45/0 in 15 overs
- December 17, 2022 09:06Siraj from the other end
Mohammed Siraj starts a new spell. Two slips in place for Najmul Shanto. There’s also a catching midwicket. Tidy start. One from the over . BAN 44/0 in 14 overs
- December 17, 2022 08:59SESSION 1
Zakir and Shanto stride out to the middle. KL Rahul addressing his troops. Kuldeep to kickstart proceedings. Najmul gets started with a single first ball. Silly point and slip in place for Zakir. There’s a deep square on leg side and also a deep point. Zakir plays out five dots. One run from the over. BAN 43/0 in 13 overs
- December 17, 2022 08:56Day 3 recap
We are minutes away from action on the penultimate day. Missed action on Day 3? Bring yourself up to speed with N. Sudarshan’s ground report from yesterday - Read
- December 17, 2022 08:46Sharing workload
Let’s not forget India are playing only two pacers, which means the spinners might have to share bulk of the workload. Kuldeep Yadav was menacing in the first innings but the pitch has eased out since. Ravichandran Ashwin is yet to have a significant impact on this game. Likewise with Axar. Though the Kookaburra ball also has a pronounced seam, it fades away rather quickly. That makes it a little more challenging for the spinners, especially fingerspinners. The lack of a pronounced seam makes it difficult to grip the ball but it also denies purchase off the surface because the ball, instead of gripping the surface, just skids along.
- December 17, 2022 08:26Uphill task
Welcome to day four, fellas. Bangladesh openers Zakir and Najmul did well to deny Indian bowlers in the last 45 mins of day 3. But today’s a fresh challenge. Six sessions and plenty of time left in the test. Not only will their techniques be tested on a two-paced pitch but also their patience and temperament. We start in 30 mins.
- December 17, 2022 08:21Playing 11
Bangladesh XI: Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain
India XI: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul (c), Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
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