'Still a long way to go'

After the morning session yesterday, there were a number of Bangladeshi journalists in the Hyderabad press box who were finding ways to reschedule their flight tickets back to Dhaka.

With Bangladesh four down for 109 and Umesh Yadav steaming in with some outrageous deliveries on a flat deck, many expected the game to be over early.

So, when Bangladesh managed to finish the third day on 322 for 6, it was a bit of a surprise.

There were two partnerships that helped revive Bangladesh. It began with Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan's century stand for the fifth wicket and ended with an unbeaten 87-run partnership between Mushfiqur and Mehedi Hasan Miraz.

Initially, it was Shakib's aggressive attitude that helped Bangladesh climb out of the hole that they were in. After the early wickets fell, Shakib decided to take the attack to the bowlers.

“When I was facing the spinners, it seemed like it was a good wicket. It wasn't helping the spinners and I knew that I could be positive. I moved my feet and I was trying to be as positive as I could. I was looking to score runs rather than just block balls,” said Shakib.

“I think the wicket is still really good. We see the ball turn and spin for India on Day Three but that was not happening. And pace, well apart from that one unplayable spell [from Umesh Yadav], we managed to cope with well. As of now the wicket is good, but tomorrow is a new day. Let's see what happens,” he added.

While Bangladesh ended the day well, they will be disappointed at their top order. After all, one cannot expect the middle and lower-middle order to take the majority of the pressure on such a brilliant batting wicket. Players like Mahmudullah Riyad, Mominul Haque and Sabbir Rahman will feel that they missed out.

However, Shakib defended his top order and said that it was difficult to survive the first one hour because the ball was moving quite a bit.

“When Riyad bhai was dismissed the ball was moving a lot and it was difficult for batsmen to survive then. I was lucky to survive but he could not. Everyone plays to contribute. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not, but those who click on their day, should go for it,” said Shakib.

Despite the late heroics, Shakib still believes that Bangladesh have a long way to go to save this Test.

“India are obviously on the front foot. We have to play really well in the first two hours of the first session tomorrow. Hopefully Mushfiqur bhai and Miraz can play the first session. That's the key part. If we can score 100 to 120, I think we will be in very good shape and we will be close to saving the follow-on, which is our first target at the moment,” concluded the left-armer.