Persistent rain forced the cancellation of the second day’s play of the solitary Test between Bangladesh and India at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah yesterday. Rain finally stopped pouring at around 3:30pm but match referee Andy Pycroft had already called off the day’s proceedings at 1:45pm following the final inspection half an hour earlier. Not a single ball was bowled yesterday.
Incessant rain also affected the majority of the opening day’s play last Wednesday but the Indian openers scored briskly in 56 overs to finish the day on 239 without loss. Shikhar Dhawan blasted a brilliant unbeaten 150 while Murali Vijay was undefeated on 89. With only three days remaining in the Test match, draw seems to be the most likely result.
Earlier yesterday, the cricketers of both the camps spent a lazy morning as the weather suddenly turned chilly. The sky went dark and the threat of heavy monsoon was looming over the KSOAS. Both the teams had to stay inside their hotel. As far as the Bangladesh cricketers are concerned, they spent some time at the gym before heading straight back to their rooms.
“Once I woke up in the morning and saw the dark sky from my window, I immediately realised that it would be tough to resume the day’s play today (yesterday) as there were thunderstorms along with heavy showers,” said a Bangladesh cricketer, requesting anonymity, to Dhaka Tribune.
“It was not the sight that I was hoping for. We were all eager to play and make a comeback in the game after a disappointing first day. However, the team management informed us that we will be staying at our hotel. I had my breakfast at 10am and went back to my room for a nap as the weather was perfect,” he added.
The Indian side, who were also left stranded at their hotel, may not like the reading of the weather forecast as it suggests more showers in the upcoming days. A draw will see the visitors move down a place to fourth in the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings while the hosts, in contrast, will not mind a stalemate as they are on the backfoot after the first day’s play.
