First question is, why did Mushfiqur Rahim bat at No 5?
He has decided to let go keeping from this Test match onwards to focus more on his batting.
Statistically, Mushfiq has been the most consistent performer in the Tigers’ batting line-up in recent years.
He is considered one of the most technically sound batsmen in the squad as well.
Then his ideal position should be No 4.
In this Test, Mushfiq will not keep but he still came out to bat at No 5.
By this time, Bangladesh were already three wickets down and under pressure.
@BCBtigers were in trouble, it was just the second session on day one and @Mahmudullah30's shot was like batting in the slog overs in the shorter formats.https://t.co/bzSVzjNiHa#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #MAHMUDULLAH #INDIACRICKET #INDIA
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 14, 2019
Anyways, Mushfiq’s batting in the middle was mercurial to say the least as he scored some runs, defended well on occasions but also gave chances.
It was his luck that saved him twice in his 43-run innings off 105 deliveries.
He was first dropped by India skipper Virat Kohli in the 24th over before getting a reprieve again when Ajinkya Rahane grassed his catch in the 28th over.
Both times it was a regulation catch.
But Mushfiq could not prolong his innings as he was bowled by Mohammad Shami just before the tea interval, in the fifth ball of the 54th over.
It was a cracking delivery from Shami as it went back sharply and Mushfiq was slightly late to save his wicket.
The total score was 140 then and after Mushfiq’s wicket, the Tigers folded for 150 in their first innings.
1ST TEST, DAY 1
BANGLADESH 1ST INNINGS R B
Shadman c Saha b Ishant 6 24
Imrul c Rahane b Yadav 6 18
Mominul b Ashwin 37 80
Mithun lbw b Shami 13 36
Mushfiq b Shami 43 105
Mahmudullah b Ashwin 10 30
Liton c Kohli b Ishant 21 31
Miraz lbw b Shami 0 1
Taijul run out (Jadeja/Saha) 1 7
Jayed not out 7 14
Ebadat b Yadav 2 5
Extras (lb3, w1) 4
Total (58.3 overs) 150
Fall Of Wickets
1-12 (Imrul), 2-12 (Shadman), 3-31 (Mithun), 4-99 (Mominul), 5-115 (Mahmudullah), 6-140 (Mushfiq), 7-140 (Miraz), 8-140 (Liton), 9-148 (Taijul), 10-150 (Ebadat)
Bowling: Ishant 12-6-20-2, Yadav 14.3-3-47-2, Shami 13-5-27-3 (w1), Ashwin 16-1-43-2, Jadeja 3-0-10-0
INDIA 1ST INNINGS R B
Agarwal not out 37 81
Rohit c Liton b Jayed 6 14
Pujara not out 43 61
Total (26 overs) 86/1
Fall Of Wicket
1-14 (Rohit)
Bowling: Ebadat 11-2-32-0, Jayed 8-0-21-1, Taijul 7-0-33-0