Nafees gives Bangladesh confident start

FATULLAH, Bangladesh, Apr 9 (Reuters) An unbeaten 60 by opener Shahriar Nafees helped Bangladesh reach 144 for one at lunch on the first day of the first test against Australia today.

He and skipper Habibul Bashar (45no) compiled an unbroken second-wicket stand of 93 as Australia's bowling attack struggled to make inroads after the hosts won the toss.

The only wicket of the morning session went to recalled paceman Jason Gillespie, who trapped Javed Omar lbw for 27 with the fifth ball of his opening over.

Nafees struck 10 fours in his second test fifty while Bashar weighed in with eight boundaries as Bangladesh rattled up the runs from 25 overs in the session.

Bashar survived a scare on 36 when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist after misreading leg spinner Shane Warne.

Warne went for a streaky 38 runs from his six overs while Brett Lee, with none for 44 off eight overs, performed little better.

REUTERS PM HT1228