Mahmudullah fails to stop India's advance

Bangladesh 233 India 69

India pace bowler Ishant Sharma took four wickets to help reduce Bangladesh to 233 all out on the opening day of the second and final Test in Dhaka yesterday. At the close, India were 69 without loss in reply with Virender Sehwag on 41 and Gautam Gambhir on 26.

Number eight batsman Mahmudullah smashed an unbeaten 96 to help Bangladesh recover from 127 for 7. He was left stranded when off-spinner Harbhajan Singh ended Bangladesh's resistance by bowling last batsman Rubel Hossain for four. Rubel survived 25 balls as he tried to help Mahmudullah record a maiden Test century. Mahmudullah struck 13 fours in his 156-ball innings.

Ishant (4-66) and fellow seamer Zaheer Khan (3-62) had earlier dismantled Bangladesh's line-up after the hosts opted to bat first. Mohammad Ashraful was the only batsman to take the fight to India among the top order with 39.

Mahmudullah said he had no regrets at missing out on his century. "After Shakib [Al Hasan] got out, I tried to bat as long as possible and score as many runs as possible. I am not disappointed at all. Rather I am happy to contribute for my team," he said. India lead the two-match series 1-0 after a 113-run win in Chittagong last week.