Mishra, Sharma shape India victory

Bowlers Amit Mishra and Ishant Sharma shared seven wickets in India’s crushing 113-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test on Thursday.

Leg-spinner Mishra finished with 4-92 and paceman Sharma took 3-48 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 301 in their second innings before tea on the final day while chasing an improbable target of 415 runs.The only consolation for Bangladesh was an entertaining 101 by wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, who smashed one six and 17 fours in his maiden Test century. Rahim completed his hundred off 112 balls, the fastest by a Bangladeshi in Tests, before becoming the last man to be dismissed when he holed out in the deep off Mishra.

Rahim, 21, gave spectators plenty to cheer about with his exciting strokeplay, once hammering Sharma for 14 runs in an over and then hitting paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth for a six and a boundary off successive balls.

He was involved in rollicking 60-run stand for the eighth wicket with Shahadat Hossain (24), which ended when Shahadat failed to read Mishra’s googly and was bowled.

Bangladesh’s chances of saving the match receded sharply when they lost three wickets in the morning after adding only 69 to their overnight total of 67-2, with Sharma taking two and part-time off-spinner Virender Sehwag one.

India strengthened their position when Mishra had Bangladeshi skipper and key batsman Shakib Al Hasan (17) caught by Sehwag at silly point a few overs after lunch. CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, AFP