Monday 4 December 2017 17:43, UK
Little separates Bangladesh and England at the end of an intriguing second day in the first Test at Chittagong, says Nick Knight.
The home side were 221-5 at stumps, 72 runs behind but well placed to push on towards a possible first-innings lead after bowling England out for 293 in the morning session.
Tamim Iqbal (78) went past 50 for the seventh time in nine Test innings and captain Mushfiqur Rahim scored a robust 48 to leave the match delicately poised after Moeen Ali picked up two wickets in four balls just before lunch.
"It's been another terrific day of Test match cricket," reflected former England opener Knight.
"I think England will be pleased that they got themselves to 293 - they'll feel that was a decent effort in the conditions.
"We all felt that once Bangladesh lost a couple of wickets to Moeen Ali just before lunch that perhaps they would fold.
"But that wasn't to be the case as Bangladesh showed a lot of fight, resilience and skill on a pitch that continues to bounce and turn considerably."
England's spin attack struggled to match the economy rates of their Bangladeshi counterparts - Ali, Gareth Batty and Adil Rashid all going at three runs or more per over.
"Moeen Ali was the standout bowler but England will be disappointed at the way they didn't quite build enough pressure," said Knight.
"They gave away too many singles and didn't quite create the pressure that could have resulted in more wickets.
"So Bangladesh will be happy enough. They finished the day on 221-5 thanks largely to Tamim, who scored an excellent 78.
"Mushfiqur Rahim, the captain, played beautifully as well and Shakib-ul-Hasan is poised on 31no.
"If they can get any sort of a lead on this surface with the ball turning and bouncing, Bangladesh will feel they are in a strong position. It's pretty even, though, at this stage after two days."
Watch the first Test between India and England live on Sky Sports 2 on 9th November.
