MANCHESTER, England, (Reuters) – A dramatic batting collapse turned the second and final Test England’s way at Old Trafford after Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal crashed his second exhilarating century in as many matches yesterday. Off-spinner Graeme Swann took five for 76 as Bangladesh, replying to England’s 419, slumped from 126 for nought to 216 all-out.
England captain Andrew Strauss must now decide overnight whether to enforce the follow-on at the start of play on the third day today.
It was quite a turnaround after Tamim’s breathtaking 108 from 114 balls, his fourth test century, and Bangladesh now seem unlikely to grab the victory they need to draw the series.
“It was great to score a hundred but the team matters (more),” the swashbuckling 21-year-old left-hander told reporters. “We didn’t play well after a solid start so I’m not that happy.
“If we could have gone through the day with three or four wickets down it would have been a perfect day. When I walked off I didn’t expect that (collapse),” said Tamim who kissed his bat and waved it towards his team mates on reaching three figures. Earlier, overnight batsman Ian Bell (128) notched his 11th Test century for England and put on 153 for the sixth wicket with Matt Prior (93).
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan produced a late burst of wickets to finish with five for 121.
The day, though, belonged to Tamim again. Following his sparkling knocks of 55 and 103 in the first Test at Lord’s, the aggressive youngster cut, drove and slashed anything loose in an innings reminiscent of India’s fast-scoring opener Virender Sehwag. He initially provided Strauss with a major problem as England’s four-man attack struggled in hot and sunny conditions.
Tamim skipped down the pitch and drove Swann over long-on for six to reach his 50 in 43 balls and went on to crack a total of 11 boundaries before he was caught behind off James Anderson trying to cut.
Earlier, he shared an opening stand of 126 with Imrul Kayes who fell for 36 when he hooked paceman Steven Finn to fine leg. “When I started test cricket I was just trying to survive and when I tried to play a shot I was getting out,” said Tamim.
“I spoke to (coach) Jamie (Siddons) and he said when you are batting in the one-dayers, enjoy yourself, and I thought that’s the way I should play in test cricket.
“Some days I will look fantastic and some days I will look ugly but I think I need to keep going this way.”
After England resumed their first innings on 275 for five, Bell reached his century before being bowled by a sharply spinning delivery from Shakib. Prior then seemed set for his own ton until he offered a catch off Shakib while reverse sweeping.