Nafees century gives Bangladesh promising start

FATULLAH, Bangladesh, Apr 9 (Reuters) Shahriar Nafees struck his maiden test century to lift Bangladesh to 355 for five at the close of play on day one of the first test against Australia today.

Rajin Saleh (35), dropped on 31 by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, and Khaled Mashud (two) were at the crease when play was stopped two overs early due to bad light.

Nafees (138) and captain Habibul Bashar (76) shared a Bangladesh record second-wicket partnership of 187 to give the hosts a superb start against the world champions.

The 20-year-old, who was dropped on 66 by Shane Warne at slip off Jason Gillespie, hit 19 fours in his innings which ended when he bowled by Stuart MacGill.

Bashar also survived a scare when, on 36, he was dropped by Gilchrist after misreading a delivery from leg spinner Warne, who conceded 84 runs from 13 overs.

Bashar was caught by Brett Lee at mid-on off MacGill just before tea but Australia's five-pronged bowling attack generally struggled to make inroads after the hosts won the toss.

MacGill also took the wicket of Aftab Ahmed (29) to finish with three for 82.

Seamer Gillespie trapped opener Javed Omar lbw for 27 with the fifth ball of his first over and had Mohammad Ashraful dismissed the same way on 29.

REUTERS DH RK1905