Kuldeep spins India to victory

Chattogram, Dec. 19: Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav took a career-best match-haul of 8-113 as India secured a 188-run victory against Bangladesh in the first test to go up 1-0 in the two-match series.

Kuldeep followed his 5-40 in the first innings, with 3-73 as Bangladesh was bowled out for 324 in its second innings on Sunday chasing a mammoth total of 513.

"We've been here for a while, and one-day series didn't go how we wanted it to, India captain KL Rahul said. "A hard-fought Test, and really happy we won."

"The pitch did flatten out - it did worry us - but in the first few innings, it was difficult to get runs. Important that the lower order contributes. Shubman and Pujara utilised the opportunity, and got hundreds."

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan counterattacked with 84 off 108, smashing six fours and six sixes but the hosts lost its last four wickets in less than an hour of the fifth day after resuming at 272-6.

Shakib alone scored 44 of 52 runs Bangladesh made on the final day.

Pacer Mohammed Siraj (1-67) claimed the wicket of Mehidy Hasan for 13 in just second over of the day to dampen any hopes Bangladesh might have had of taking the game deep into the final day.

With partners running out, Shakib went on the attack against the spinners but went for one big shot too many and was bowled by Kuldeep. "It was a good wicket to bat on, but we didn't bat well (in the first innings)," Shakib said. "There should be no excuse. A lot of credit to India, as they created pressure.

Brook nudges England ahead

Harry Brook smashed his third successive test century before England's tailenders frustrated Pakistan and grafted a 50-run first innings lead in the third and final test on Sunday.

Brook followed his centuries in England’s victories at Rawalpindi and Multan with 111 off 150 balls in the dead rubber as the visitors were bowled out for 354 in the final session on the second day.

Wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes, playing his first test on tour, made a resilient 64 while Mark Wood (35) and Ollie Robinson (29) played cameos to edge England ahead of Pakistan’s total of 304.

Pakistan opening pair of Abdullah Shafique (14 not out) and Shan Masood (3 not out) played out nine overs of spin to reach 21-0 at stumps.

“I said to one of my mates I’d like to get two (centuries) before I got here, so it feels very nice to go one better,” Brook said.

Leftarm spinner Nauman Ali (4-120), one of the four changes Pakistan made for the final test, and spinner Abrar Ahmed (4-150) picked up the bulk of the wickets but Brook and Foakes blunted both spinners with a splendid 117-run stand. (AP)