New Delhi: Debutant Zakir Hasan showed patience and confidence while facing a world-class bowling lineup and went on to score a century. Zakir along with Najmul Hossain Shanto built a 124-run opening stand before Indian bowlers picked six wickets. India still looks in total control with just four wickets to win while the hosts need 241 runs on the last day, with Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz still on the crease.
Bangladesh got to a brilliant start on day 4, while chasing a massive total of 513. Zakir Hasan and Shanto showed grit as the pitch got better to bat on. Zakir went on to score 100 off 224 deliveries and with 13 fours and a six, he gave the Bangladeshi fans an inning to remember. India bowled tight lines but Zakir and Shanto were just too comfortable to be moved and they ended the first session without a loss. On the other hand, Shakib Al Hasan played attacking cricket to end the day. He hit three fours and two sixes to score 40*(69).
It was Umesh Yadav who got India a breakthrough after the Lunch and it was followed by Axar Patel who rolled his fingers to pick three. Yadav got an outside edge off Shanto’s bat and Virat Kohli slipped the catch, just for Rishabh Pant to take it. Shanto was dismissed for 67 runs after he faced 156 balls. Soon Axar Patel amused Yasir Ali with an arm ball to dismiss him early.
It was followed by a 42-run stand between Zakir and Litton Das, which was broken by Kuldeep Yadav after the Tea. Das played a loose shot as he tried to find a boundary and handed the ball into Umesh Yadav’s hands. Ravichandran Ashwin, who was unable to pick a wicket in the first inning, dismissed the danger-man Zakir Hasan, soon after he completed his maiden hundred. Zakir got an inside edge and the ball went to the first slip after hitting his pads, to end a spectacular show.
In the 88th over, Axar bowled Mushfiqur Rahim and dismissed Nurul Hasan off a brilliant stumping by Pant. These consecutive wickets put Bangladesh on the backfoot before Shakib ended the day with some attacking shots.
