Bangladesh batters put up a dogged resistance but it wasn’t enough to prevent India from closing in on a victory at stumps on the fourth day of the first Test in Chittagong.

There was no way Bangladesh would have successfully chased a record 513 and the point of interest was if they managed to bat out the two days. Debutant Zakir Hasan fell for a fighting 100 and Shakib-al Hasan held up one end to remain unbeaten on 40 but Bangladesh still need 241 while India will look for the remaining four wickets.

The pitch offered slow turn allowing the batters to settle in as it proved to be test of patience for the bowlers. India picked up six wickets in the last two sessions which came as a huge respite for them after the openers put on a solid, unbeaten 124-run stand.

Axar Patel (3/50) struck twice with the second new ball to get rid of Mushfiqur Rahim and Nurul Hasan in the space of six deliveries. The lack of breakthroughs before lunch forced India to try different tactics, with Ashwin going over the wicket against the two left-handers but to no avail.

India bounced back with Umesh Yadav striking after lunch having Shanto caught behind, following a fumble by Virat Kohli at slip.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav also joined in and Bangladesh felt the pressure. Zakir successfully lofted Kuldeep’s first ball, but Litton was troubled by the left-arm wrist spinner. He survived a leg before review against Kuldeep but soon after tried to loft a wrong ‘un and ended up chipping tamely to mid on.

Mushfiqur and Shakib resisted for a while before Axar got into the act. It remains to be seen how long Bangladesh manage to survive on the final day.

As India inched closer to taking a 1-0 lead in the twomatch series, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said the focus was on remaining patient.

Babar, Salman lift Pakistan

Karachi: Left-arm spinner Jack Leach took four wickets and England’s youngest-ever Test debutant Rehan Ahmed struck twice as Pakistan managed 304 in their first innings on Day 1 of the final Test.

The hosts then hit back early through leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who trapped Zak Crawley lbw in the very first over of England’s reply, as the visitors were 7 for 1 at stumps on Saturday. Earlier, captain Babar Azam (78) and Agha Salman (56) hit half-centuries.

Babar looked set for his second century of the series but couldn’t beat Harry Brook’s timely throw and good work by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes that ran him out in the day’s final session.

Brief scores: Pakistan 304 (B. Azam 78, A. Salman 56). England 7/1. At stumps, Day 1.

AP/PTI

Head shines on green top

Brisbane: Travis Head defied the hostile Gabba pitch to hit an unbeaten 77-ball 78 that gave Australia a slight edge over South Africa in the opening Test.

Fifteen wickets fell on Day 1 with Australia five down for 145 at stumps. Head’s knock and his 117-run stand with Steve Smith (38) were crucial for Australia in tough batting conditions.

Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were the main wicket-takers for Australia after they won the toss and opted to bowl. For the Proteas, only Kyle Verreynne (64) could provide some resistance.

Brief scores: South Africa 152 (K. Verreynne 64; M. Starc 3/41, N. Lyon 3/14). Australia 145/5 (T. Head 78 batting). At stumps, Day 1.

AP/PTI