Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed figures of 3/12 as India slumped to 45/4 in their second innings at the end of Day 3 of the second test against Bangladesh in Mirpur on December 24, Saturday.
Resuming at overnight score of 7/0, Ravichandran Ashwin provided the first breakthrough by trapping Najmul Hossain Shanto (5) leg before wicket.
Mominul Haque then edged a delivery from Mohammed Siraj to wicket keeper Rishabh Pant for 5. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim departed cheaply leaving the visitors in trouble at 70/4.
The pair of Zakir Hasan and Litton Das resurrected the innings with a solid 32 run stand for the fifth wicket before the former slashed at a short and wide delivery from Umesh Yadav to Mohammed Siraj at deep third man for a well made 51.
Litton got a reprieve when Virat Kohli missed a catch at slip off Axar Patel. However the left arm spinner Axar trapped Mehidy right in front of stumps for a duck.
Das and Narul Hasan featured in a crucial 46 run stand for the seventh wicket before the latter was stumped by Pant off Axar for a 29 ball-31.
The 28 year old Das along with Taskin Ahmed kept the Indian bowlers at bay with a frustrating 60 run stand for the eight wicket before the former was castled by Siraj for an entertaining 73. His knock came off 98 balls with 7 fours.
The visitors polished of the tail by dismissing Taijul Islam leg before wicket to Ashwin and then Khaled Ahmed run out, as the hosts were all out for 231, with an overall lead of 144.
Chasing 145, Shakib got Bangladesh off to a dream start by claiming his opposite number KL Rahul caught behind the stumps for 2.
Mehidy then struck thrice by dismissing Chetehwar Pujara, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli to keep Bangladesh’s hopes alive for a series levelling victory.
At the end of Day 3, the hosts finished at 45/4, still requiring a further 100 runs with 6 wickets in hand.
Axar Patel who was promoted at No 4 was batting on 26 while nightwatchman Jaydev Unadkat remained undefeated on 3.