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May 22, 2007 (Link to Scorecard)

A bold decision from India made the Chittagong Test an interesting one for everyone following the game. Even the Bangladeshi batsmen attempted to go at the 250 run target which they had to get from 43 overs. Every boundary that was scored created hopes for the local fans but the Bangladeshis soon found out that it was too tough a target as they closed the shutters of their shop to play it safe. The Indian bowlers struggled to get anything out of the good batting track. This was after play had started as late as 2.00 PM local time because of a wet outfield.

The match came to an end after the two umpires after asking the Captains decided that no team had a chance to win the Test Match just before the last hour. Bangladesh were at an impressive 104 for 2 in 28 overs with opener Javed Omar remaining unbeaten on a positive 52 from 82 balls with 8 fours and a six. He got a life when he was dropped off a return catch by off spinner Ramesh Powar. The other batsman, who got a nice hit in the middle was Skipper Habibul Bashar, making 37 from 49 with 6 fours. Like Javed Omar, he also had a life when he was dropped, which was in the deep by RP Singh, who did not make any mistake when he was offered a catch by the same batsman a few deliveries later. India put Bangladesh under pressure when RP Singh got luck wicket with Shahriar Nafees caught down the legside by the keeper. The left hander got just the one run before he was dismissed in the 4th over. After that Bashar came in to put up 70 runs for the 2nd wicket. Rajin Saleh on 7 from 29 was the not out batsman with Javed Omar when the match was ended. It was Javed Omar's 7th test match fifty.

India were given a big fillip when Anil Kumble had come out on the field during the start of the second innings of the homeside. But the legspinner disappeared back to the dressing room as he was still feeling very weak following a high fever. Kumble didn't bowl a single over in this test match. Yesterday's rain had made the ground unfit for a prompt start. Play could begin in the afternoon with the Umpires deciding to have a maximum of 53 overs. The Indian batsmen came out playing the big shots to find themselves at an untidy 100 for 6 in 24 overs but then Rahul Dravid surprised everyone by declaring the innings. India batted for just the 10 overs today, smashing 56 runs at the loss of four wickets. Dinesh Karthik was first to go today, once again falling to a pull shot, he made 22. Tendulkar followed him trying to play a forceful shot off Rafique to be bowled for 31 from 50 balls. Ganguly got out lofting Rafique to deep mid wicket having made 13 and then Powar had a wild swing to be stumped off Rafique. Dhoni was the only frontline batsman to remain unbeaten, he had got 17 from 17 with a four and a six. Mohammad Rafique got 3 for 27 in his 8 overs.

The Man of the Match for this Test Match was given to Mashrafe Mortaza. The young emerging all rounder was the man who had spoilt India's goal of enforcing a follow on during the fourth day's play. The two teams have just the two days to recover before they play the last match of the tour which is at Dhaka. India might be looking to give Debut for Ishant Sharma by dropping VRV Singh.

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