Tigers slightly ahead after attritional first day

Bangladesh will be the happier of the two sides after the first day of the first Test against Pakistan in Khulna on Tuesday, with the Tigers happy to bat at a painstakingly slow pace to end the day on 236 for four.

After whitewashing their visitors in three ODI's and the one-off T20I before the Test, the Tigers wanted to set their stall out after their captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and elected to bat on a rather flat-looking pitch.

Openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes put on 52, at under two runs an over, before Tamim was caught at short-leg by Azhar Ali after poking hesitantly at a ball from leg-spinner Yasir Shah for 26. Kayes and new man Mominul Haque saw the home side to lunch on 60 for one after 30 overs.

The theme continued after the interval as the Tigers' batsman were happy to bide their time and occupy the crease. Kayes went on to reach his 50, off 162 balls, then was out immediately afterwards as off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez induced him into a leading edge to and take an easy return catch. 92 for two at that stage.

Mominul and Mahmudullah then put on 95 for the third wicket as they also tried lifting the tempo, slightly, to put some pressure back on the Pakistan bowlers. After reaching 49, Mahmudullah edged seamer Wahab Riaz to keeper Sarfraz Ahmed who took a beautiful catch diving low to his right to leave the hosts on 187 for three.

The left-handed Mominul went on to reach his 50 off 108 balls and together with Shakib Al Hasan added 49 for the fourth wicket when Mominul was trapped lbw by Zulfiqar Babar with what turned out to be the last ball of the day.

Bangladesh will hope to build on the foundation that they have laid for themselves while Pakistan would not be to unhappy with the day's proceedings as the Tigers did not get away from them and few quick wickets tomorrow could swing the match in their favour.