Bangladesh sitting pretty despite scattered Australian fight on day two
Teammates congratulate Bangladesh's Mehedi Hasan Miraz after the dismissal of Australia's Matthew Wade. Photo: AP
Australia are at risk of another subcontinental let-down after handing Bangladesh the ascendancy with a dismal batting performance on day two of the first Test in Dhaka.
The hosts went to stumps on Monday at 1-45 to hold an overall lead of 88 after bowling Australia out for 217 shortly after tea.
After making a solid contribution with the bat, Ashton Agar made the sole breakthrough in the second-last over, tempting Soumya Sarkar (15) into a skied drive that was caught by a juggling Usman Khawaja at long-on.
Dangerous opener Tamim Iqbal was unbeaten on 30 with nightwatchman Taijul Islam yet to score.
Left-arm spinner Agar earlier provided a reminder of his all-round ability, scoring an unbeaten 41 to help the visitors save face.
Agar combined with Pat Cummins (25) for a 49-run partnership before Cummins played onto his pads off a Shakib Al Hasan delivery and was bowled early in the third session.
Both tailenders batted with determination and occasional flair, each hitting a six during a stand which frustrated the Bangladeshi bowlers.
Things had looked much more dire for Australia when they lost the wickets of Matt Renshaw and Matthew Wade either side of lunch.
Renshaw made 45 before being caught at first slip in the last over of the morning session to a delivery from left-arm spinner Shakib that held its line outside off stump.
The Australians were then left to regret not reviewing Wade’s dismissal in the first over after lunch.
After being given out lbw off the bowling of offspinner Mehedi Hasan, Wade conferred with batting partner Glenn Maxwell but decided not to call for the DRS.
Replays showed the ball was missing leg stump after pitching outside off and spinning sharply across the left-handed Wade.
Pat Cummins and Ashton Agar followed three-wicket hauls with sound batting. Photo: AP
It was an inexplicable call not to question the decision considering Australia had two reviews remaining.
Maxwell reached 23 before being stumped by Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim after charging down the wicket and completely missing a Shakib delivery.
Renshaw had earlier combined with Peter Handscomb for an encouraging 69-run stand.
However, Handscomb played a false shot to another left-arm spinner, Taijul Islam, and was trapped lbw on 33.
Skipper Steve Smith threw his wicket away with an uncharacteristic error.
In the third over on Monday, Smith charged down the pitch to a delivery from right-arm off-spinner Mehedi that went straight past the inside edge and he was bowled for eight.
Star Bangladesh allrounder Shakib finished with 5-68, having top-scored in their first innings with 84.
He became only the fourth bowler to take five-wicket hauls against all nine possible Test opponents.
-AAP