Surrey all-rounder Zafar Ansari pressed his claims for a Test debut by leading England s fightback during the opening day of their final warm-up clash against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI in Chittagong. England appeared to be toiling in the field until the left-arm spinner claimed three quick scalps to prompt a dramatic collapse which saw the hosts slip from 207-2 to 294 all out. Ansari finished with figures of 4-68.
Seamer Stuart Broad snared two wickets, as did Gareth Batty Ansari s Surrey team-mate and rival for a spinner s berth in the England team for the first Test against Bangladesh, which starts on Thursday. Opener Abdul Mazid proved a major thorn in England s side with an impressive century before he was bowled by Broad, while Nazmul Hossain, batting at No3, struck 72. Middlesex fast bowler Steven Finn was the most economical of England s attack, conceding just 24 runs from his 10 overs, while Warwickshire s Chris Woakes and all-rounder Moeen Ali chipped in with a wicket apiece.
England navigated four overs in reply with Ben Duckett, who impressed with a half-century in the first warm-up game, two not out at the close, while Lancashire s Haseeb Hameed was yet to score.
The duo are competing for the vacant opener s slot alongside skipper Alastair Cook, who is currently attending the birth of his second child, after Alex Hales opted against travelling to Bangladesh amid ongoing security
concerns.