Shakib, Tamim see through tough ‘challenge’ on 50th Test with century stand

It was only the fifth time Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal paired up in a Test match and they raised a crucial century stand to give Bangladesh’s total respectability in their first innings against Australia.

The Tigers were tottering on 10-3 inside the first four overs, 15 minutes since the first ball was bowled at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The manner in which the duo batted during the defiant 155-run stand, much to the frustration of the Aussies, it was quite spectacular, more so because they produced it under immense pressure on a tough pitch.

“It was really challenging. I think we applied our strengths very well. Our partnership was crucial...,” Shakib said.

Shakib made 84 and Tamim scored 71 to celebrate their 50th Test by leading the recovery. The former was more fluent at playing strokes while the opener often remained subdued but accounted for all the three sixes that Bangladesh hit.

Both the batsmen got out to deliveries that bounced too high; Tamim off Glenn Maxwell and Shakib off Nathan Lyon.

Shakib said they did not have to discuss much about their gameplan while at the crease and simply continued doing their work.

“We don’t really speak like that [at the crease]; we just kept on batting for as long as possible. We batted even better after the first session,” he said.

“Unfortunately two deliveries jumped up and we both lost our wickets to those.”

“I thought our work was quite simple, because we’ve been playing together for many days. It’s not that there is any problem in our understanding. We are both playing our 50th Test, there should not be any doubts about our understanding.”

After their departure, however, Bangladesh lower order capitulated to 260 all out losing their last 4 wickets for just 20 runs.

But late in the day, Bangladesh struck back with quick Australian wickets to leave the tourists struggling on 18-3. It lifted the hosts’ spirits at the end of an exciting opening day of the Test that promises more thrills through the two-game series.