Tamim thinks Bangladesh are 'a bit' ahead of England in Chittagong Test

Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal feels Bangladesh have a slight advantage over England after a hard-fought second day but the tourists are lurking close.

The 27-year-old opener, who smashed his seventh half-century in nine Test innings against England on Friday, thinks Bangladesh would have owned the day had skipper Mushfiqur Rahim not fallen in the final overs of the last session.

The Tigers gathered 221-5 at stumps, trailing England by 72 runs in the first innings. He cracked a measured 78 off 179 balls to lay the foundation for the hosts.

With five wickets still in hand, Tamim feels they have the edge over their opponents.

"I still think we are slightly in a better position. But England are not too far behind," he said after the close.

Bangladesh are looking up to Shakib Al Hasan, who is unbeaten on 31, to give them an advantage with debutants Sabbir Rahman and Mehedi Hasan Miraz waiting down the order.

"If we can produce a good session tomorrow then we will have the upper hand. The wicket is not easy to bat on. If Mushfiq didn't get out, I could've said we had spent a good day," he added.

Considering his record against England and the way he batted on Friday, Tamim seemed good for a century but he became England spinner Gareth Batty's first Test wicket in more than a decade.

Still, he was pleased with the knock.

"I think I worked really hard for my runs [today]. If I had been out for my mistake, I would've felt bad. I think I felt I was in control in the way I played," Tamim said.

The 39-year-old Batty, on the other hand, was jubilant after snaring the wicket – a roaring celebration with fists in the air.

"Wow, it’s been amazing to be back in an England shirt…it's nice to get very good players out," he said.

"They had some good partnerships but [Ben] Stokes' wicket [Mushfiqur] has brought us right back into it.

"I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous before…but at least you know you’re alive when that happens," he added.

Batty removed Tamim with the new ball after tea break.