Sports Reporter
A five-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique sent Scotland packing for a paltry 199 in their first innings against Bangladesh on the opening day of the three-day match on Tuesday. But the southpaw's effort virtually went down the drain when the tourists, in reply, were reeling at 79 for six just before the lunch on the second day yesterday.
According to a telephonic message received here last evening, at one stage Bangladesh were cruising comfortably with 55 for no loss. But a stunning collapse in the late morning session saw the visitors losing six wickets for the addition of only 22 runs.
Bangladesh appeared to be well on course to at least salvage some pride in the final match of their disastrous one-and-a-half-month long tour of the British Isles as openers Athar Ali Khan and Azam Iqbal, resuming at the overnight score of 19 for no loss, were doing well in seeing off the shine of the new ball during the torrid first session of the day.
But once Athar, in his 20s departed, the middle-order fell like a pack of cards. Rafique and wicketkeeper Khaled Masud were trying to hold the rocking boat together after that all too familiar collapse of an ever vulnerable batting line-up.
Earlier, on the opening day Rafique hogged the limelight claiming five wickets giving away only 44 runs in his marathon spell of more than 25 overs.
The tweaker, one of the few impressive campaigners in the tour, ripped through the middle-and lower-order to restrict the homeside's innings after left-arm seamer Morshed Ali Khan had made early in-roads with two quick wickets.
Match evenly poised (17 Jul 1998)
Scotland were 85 for six at stumps on the second day of the three-day match against visiting Bangladesh at Boghall, Scotland on Wednesday.
According to a telephone message received here yesterday, left-arm spinner Enamul Haque captured three wickets to put a spoke in Scotland's smooth progress. The homeside, who wrested the initiative after Bangladesh were bundled out for 138, took an overall lead of a 146 at the end of the second day.
Enamul, who gave only 28 runs for his three scalps, was ably supported by Mohammad Rafique. The southpaw, who claimed five wickets in Scotland's first innings, took two wickets for 15 runs to raise his tally to seven wickets in the match. Right-arm seamer Hasibul Hossain took the other wicket conceding 13 runs.
Earlier, Bangladesh, who began the day with 19 for no loss, were shot out for a meagre 138 with opener Azam Iqbal hammering highest 30, Khaled Masood (25) and Hasibul Hossain (24) were the other notable run getters for Bangladesh.