Zakir’s ton on Test debut headlines Bangladesh’s spirited fight

His fine hundred partnership with Najmul for the first wicket and Shakib’s valiant effort ensures there’s no ‘expected rollover’

CHATTOGRAM

Bangladesh showed it had the stomach for a fight and displayed more than just a semblance of spirit as it reached 272 for six, chasing a mammoth 513, at stumps on day four of the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Where the expectation on Saturday was for a Bangladesh roll over in the face of fierce scoreboard pressure, opener Zakir Hasan shunned the pessimism to score a terrific century on his Test debut (100, 224b, 13x4, 1x6).

Made to order

The 24-year-old had made his international bow nearly five years ago in a T20I match at home against Sri Lanka. That remained his sole outing on the world stage until the current Test, but the tag acquired then, of a T20 specialist, has stuck, despite having scored more than 1,000 runs each in the last two First Class seasons and a recent 173 against India-A.

While there are bursts of dynamism in his batting, none of it is furiously hyperactive as is often seen in the shortest format. The drives were clean and mostly along the ground, cuts deft and pulls controlled.

In the company of Najmul Hossain (67, 156b, 7x4), he ensured that the hosts wouldn’t lose a wicket in the opening session (119/0).