Mortaza halts India assault

/ Editor / 21 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

India gave themselves a chance of victory in the first Test against Bangladesh, only for Mashrafe Mortaza to crack 79 to help the Tigers past the follow-on target.

With the Chittagong clash badly disrupted by the weather, a draw had seemed the likeliest outcome but India, who had declared on 387-8, had the home side in big trouble when Bangladesh were reduced to 149-8.

Having been matched as low as 1.02 to small stakes, India's assault saw the draw drift out to 2 in the match odds market.

However, Mortaza scored his maiden Test half-century and, coupled with Shahadat Hossain's 31, helped his side avoid the follow-on.

Bangladesh were dismissed for 238, a deficit of 149, but Hossain then quickly removed both Wasim Jaffer, for a second duck in the Test, and Rahul Dravid to stop India making a quick start to their second innings.

Dinesh Karthik and Sachin Tendulkar saw the tourists reach 44-2 at the close of play on day four - a lead of 193 - but with just one day remaining, punters appear unable to see either side winning as the draw is an overwhelming favourite at 1.18.

India are on offer at 5.1 to draw first blood in the two-match series, while those who fancy Bangladesh to pull off a shock can get 85.