Bangladesh 150 and 272 for 6 (Zakir 100, Shanto 67, Shakib 40*, Axar 3-50) need another 241 runs to beat India 404 and 258 for 2 dec
Shakib Al Hasan provided entertainment late in the day to end unbeaten on 40, having swung his bat to loft, swipe and slash the spinners, but by stumps Bangladesh still needed 241 while India needed four wickets.
The evening session had begun with Bangladesh three down, and Zakir and Mushfiqur at the crease. The left-right combination didn’t mind attacking the spinners, piling up 31 runs – including four fours and a six – off the first seven overs after resumption, with Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar in operation.
That phase featured a confident straight loft by Zakir to dispatch Kuldeep for six, and a sweep behind the wicket off Axar to get to his century off 219 balls. His patience, concentration and application on a pitch with turn and bounce – and against a highly skilful attack in his very first Test – stood out.
Full report to follow