National discard Rokibul Hasan led from the front again with a 91 ball 50 that helped the Bangladesh A team post a 52 run lead over the visiting England in the second day of the three-day practice match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here yesterday.
Rokibul was partnered at the crease by Mohammad Ashraful, and the former skipper was on 14 not out when stumps were drawn for the day.
Bangladesh finished the second day on 131 for the loss of three wickets after the visitors had declared on 281 for seven, courtesy of Jonathon Trott's 101, in reply to Bangladesh A's first innings 202 all out.
For England, wicketkeeper Matt Prior also chipped in with a brisk unbeaten 71-ball 73 while Ian Bell also contributed a half-century before the visitors decided to declare their innings to give their bowlers a go at the hosts.
However, Bangladesh A started brightly in their second innings, with Zunaid Siddiqui and Shamsur Rahman striking up a good opening partnership.
James Tredwell gave England their breakthrough when he had Shamsur caught behind by substitute wicket-keeper Davies for 23. And Tredwell continued where he had left off in the first innings as he soon had Mehrab Hossain jnr edge one to Alastair Cook at slip to capture his eighth wicket in the match.
However, Rokibul joined Zunaid to steady the ship with a 53 run partnership that took the score to 102 before part time spinner Kevin Pietersen ended the left-handed Zunaid's innings by trapping him leg before.
Rokibul however held sway at the other end, mixing caution with periods of endeavor to bring up his half-century. He hit four boundaries and hoisted two huge sixes in the 40th over which was bowled by Tredwell.
But the focus was very much on Mohammad Ashraful when he stepped out to bat at the fall of Zunaid's wicket. But the former captain did not let the pressure get to him as he dispatched the second ball he faced to the fence. Soon after, he hit Tredwell for two fours in an over to encourage the crowd and bring back his confidence.
Both men comfortably negotiated the final overs and will be looking to get in vital batting practice in the third and final day today.
The crowd went home expectant of a good showing to the sight of Ashraful having a go in the nets soon after stumps had been drawn for the day.
SCORES IN BRIEF
BANGLADESH A: First innings 202 all out (Zunaed 16, Shamsur 21, Mehrab 9, Rokibul 107 not out, Ashraful 1, Shuvagoto 9, Sahagir 12, Dollar 0, Noor 6, Rasel 1, Robiul 4; Shahzad 1-26, Plunkett 1-35, Finn 2-13, Tredwell 6-95) and second innings 131-3 (Zunaed 37, Shamsur 23, Mehrab 4, Rokibul 50 not out, Ashraful 14 not out; Tredwell 2-50, Pietersen 1-16)
ENGLAND: First innings 281 for 7 declared (Carberry 5, Cook 19, Trott 101, Pietersen 2, Bell 48, Prior 73 not out, Bresnan 9, Tredwell 0, Plunkett 4 not out; Mahbubul 2-38, Mehrab 2-59, Dollar 1-54, Robiul 1-64)
Source: thedailystar.net
