Abul Hasan Heroics Launch Bangladesh Recovery

Abul Hasan Heroics Launch Bangladesh Recovery

West Indies captain Darren Sammy (right) congratulates Abul Hasan on his outstanding debut century

©WICB Media

Bangladesh 365-8 (Abul Hasan 100no) v West Indies
Second Test, Khulna, day one
Scorecard
Report by John Pennington
bet365 odds: WIN 11/10, Draw 13/8, BAN 4/1

Abul Hasan became just the second man to score a Test century on debut at number 10 in the order as Bangladesh staged a stunning recovery on day one of the second Test against the West Indies in Khulna.

The 20-year-old joined forces with Mahmudullah when his side were struggling on 193 for eight but proceeded to reach 100 not out in 108 balls to help his team close on 365 for eight.

That was a record for the most runs Bangladesh had managed on an opening day's play and the partnership of 172 with Mahmudullah is threatening the ninth-wicket record of 195 currently held by Mark Boucher and Pat Symcox of South Africa.

Abul's exploits overshadowed half-centuries from Nasir Hossain (58) and Mahmudullah (72 not out) aas well as a five-wicket haul by the recalled Fidel Edwards (5-81).

Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bat first but soon lost opener Nazimuddin, who had replaced Junaid Siddique, for four, when he was caught by Kieran Powell off Edwards, who came into the side in place of Ravi Rampaul.

Tamim Iqbal (32) and Shahriar Nafees (26) then steadied the innings with a 59-run partnership but after the pair were dismissed, Bangladesh quickly went into freefall as Edwards and Darren Sammy (2-61) broke through.

The departures of Naeem Islam (16) and Shakib Al Hasan (17) left the home side at 98 for five before the first shoots of a recovery started to appear through Mushfiqur Rahim's 38 in 81 balls.

He and Nasir put on 87 for the sixth wicket, which was borken when Nasir was caught by Edwards for Veerasammy Permaul's first wicket and eight runs later, Mushfiqur was also on his way, caught behind off Edwards.

When Edwards completed his 12th five-wicket haul in Tests by trapping Sohag Gazi in front, the West Indies openers must could have been forgiven for thinking about batting for at least a session before the day was out.

If they did, they reckoned without the fighting qualities and bravado of both Mahmudullah and Abul, who between them have played in a total of 64 first-class matches, 58 of those by Mahmudullah.

He hit 72 in 89 balls with nine fours while Abul took the attack to the West Indians, hitting 13 fours and three sixes to put himself in line for a considerable promotion up the order in the future.

After Aminul Islam and Mohammad Ashraful, he is just the third player to have scored a Test century for Bangladesh on debut.

© Cricket World 2012