BAN vs IND: Netizens react as Mirpur Test poised for a thrilling finish

The ongoing second Test match between Bangladesh and India at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur appears to be evenly poised as both teams are keeping each other at bay in what was an action-packed Day 3 on Saturday. Overall, it was the Indian team who have showed a great amount of resistance in this contest.

The hosts squandered their chances despite skipper Shakib Al Hasan calling it right at the toss. They were restricted to only 227 runs in their first innings before the Indian batters convincingly overhauled the lead by posting 314 runs on the board.

BAN-IND keep each other at bay on Day 3

The Bangladesh batters toiled hard in order to overhaul India’s 87-run lead and eventually go on to set a mammoth total for the visitors in the fourth innings, but that did not happen as their batting lineup could not apply themselves at the crease well.

Opener Zakir Hasan (51) was the lone top-order batter who showed a fearless intent against the Indian bowlers when others failed to make much of an impact despite getting starts. Star batter Litton Das, then, took the attack to the Indian bowlers and kept Bangladesh’s scoreboard ticking as he went on to score 73 runs from 98 deliveries.

In the end, wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan (31) and Tasking Ahmed (31*) made vital contributions which ensured that the hosts ended up posting a respectable total of 231 runs on the board to set India a target of 145 runs on a difficult pitch that is expected to be on the slower side as the contest progresses.

Nonetheless, the Indian batters literally failed to get going as the Bangladesh spinners made merry by extracting turn and bounce to their advantage. Captain Shakib Al Hasan accounted for his opposite number KL Rahul for just two runs against his name before Mehidy Hasan Miraz bamboozled Cheteshwar Pujara (6) and Shubman Gill (7).

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel was promoted up the order as a nightwatchman and he showed a great resistance against his Bangladesh counterparts. India survived another scare when Taijul Islam had caught Virat Kohli plumb in front of the wicket.

However, the batting megastar took a review instantly and the Ultra Edge showed that there was a bit of an inside edge as Kohli lived to fight another day.

Unfortunately for Virat, his stay at the crease ended soon after when a good catch from Mominul Haque sent him back to the pavilion for a run.

In the end, Axar Patel (26*) and Jaydev Unadkat ensured that no further damage was done as India finished at 45/4. They still need a 100 more runs to win the Test match and seal the series.

Here are the best memes from the third day of the second Test in Mirpur: