Woakes hoping for repeat collapse from Bangladesh

Chris Woakes is hoping Bangladesh’s dramatic first-innings collapse in Dhaka could play on the mind of the hosts as they seek to set a challenging target for England in the second Test.

Another thrilling day of action at the Shere Bangla National Stadium ended with Bangladesh 128 ahead on 152-3, Mahmudullah’s dismissal at the hands of Zafar Ansari from Saturday’s final ball providing a welcome boost for the tourists.

Bangladesh had initially taken charge by reducing England to 144-8, only for Woakes (46) and Rashid (44 not out) to respond with a ninth-wicket stand of 99 that enabled their team to reach 244 all out and an unlikely first-innings lead of 24.

Debutant Ansari and Ben Stokes then struck in successive overs to peg the Tigers back after a swift start to their second innings, but Imrul Kayes (59 not out) and Mahmudullah (47) ensured the hosts had their noses in front at stumps, despite the latter throwing his wicket away with an ill-advised sweep.

On a pitch that has offered significant turn, England will be aware of the need to claim early wickets on day three.

Yet Alastair Cook’s men can take heart from the fact Bangladesh were dismissed for 220 on the opening day despite having been 171-1.

Woakes told Sky Sports: “They’ve got a couple of important wickets coming up in Mushfiqur [Rahim], Kayes who is already in and Shakib [Al Hasan]. We saw what happened in the first innings, they’ll have that in the back of their heads as well.

On the wicket of Mahmudullah, the England all-rounder added: “I wouldn’t have liked to be walking back into the dressing room after playing that shot in the last over of the day. It lifts us in that dressing room. We know we can knock these boys over, particularly if we get them four, five, six down.

“Zafar getting two [wickets] was really important for us and a nice way to finish the day for us.”

Despite batting at nine and 10 in this Test, Woakes and Rashid boast a combined tally of 19 first-class hundreds and provided timely demonstrations of their ability with the bat on Saturday.

“It was nice to put on a crucial partnership and get us ahead,” added Woakes.

“I think the longer you spend at the crease in these conditions, the easier it gets. The plan was just to try to get in, tick over and hopefully they get bored and you put the boundary ball away.”