In an unwavering resolve Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim dented Australia’s hope of taking a full control of the series-deciding second Test on the very first day. Mushfiqur hit an unbeaten 62 as Bangladesh reached 253 for six at the close of the Day One yesterday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, stalling the Australians’ rapid progress.

The skipper shared three significant partnerships in steadying the ship after Bangladesh slumped to 85 for four as they failed to pick up Nathan Lyon’s quicker and straight deliveries.

Lyon had dismissed all top four batsmen leg-before wicket, a unique incident, something never happened earlier in the Test cricket. Mushfiqur however at the end was able to keep his side unscathed when there was chance that Bangladesh would be bowled out on the opening day.

The captain got an apt support from Sabbir Rahman who made his career best 66, a fourth half-century, with six fours and one six off 113 balls. In his almost chanceless innings, Mushfiqur negotiated 149 balls and sent the ball across the rope five times.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon (five for 77) put the visitors in commanding position with his second straight five-for after Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first in pursuit of a historic Test series victory over Australia. Mushfiqur came

to the crease after Lyon removed the top four batsmen, all trapped lbw, to leave Bangladesh at 85 for four. Lyon dismissed Tamin Iqbal (9), Imrul Kayes (4) and Soymya Sarkar (33) in the opening session of the second Test to have Bangladesh reeling at 70 for three, then added the wicket of Mominul Haque (31) in the second session.

It was the first time in Test cricket that one bowler had dismissed the top four batsmen leg before wicket.

On a high after their maiden Test victory over Australia in the last week Bangladesh made only one change to their winning lineup and was upbeat after winning the toss for the second time in the series.

But the Australians, making two changes to allow for a three-pronged spin attack, made early inroads when Lyon dismissed Tamim with a quicker ball in the seventh over. Tamim scored half-centuries in both innings in the first Test and his loss was an early setback for the hosts.

Lyon tested the Bangladesh batsmen with his straight and quicker deliveries as he operated tirelessly after opening the bowling with paceman Pat Cummins.

Lyon also trapped out-of-form Imrul Kayes with a straight delivery that skidded to baffle the batsman. Australia won a video review to dismiss him after umpire Nigel Llong ruled it not out.

Soumya Sarkar tried to dominate Lyon, hitting him a boundary and a six in an over, but he fell to quicker delivery on the stroke of lunch, ending his 81-ball innings and a 49-run stand for the third wicket.

Mominul Haque, who replaced paceman Shafiul Islam to bolster Bangladesh’s batting, was out in the 34th over.

Mushfiqur then shared 32-run stand with Shakib Al Hasan, who scored 24 before left-arm spinner Ashton Agar (one for 46) had Shakib well caught behind by Matthew Wade in the 47th over.

Mushfiqur’s stubbornness complemented Sabbir’s aggressive batting as the duo rescued the hosts from the potential danger. Sabbir however failed to keep his balance to be stumped in the 82nd over as Lyon completed his 11th five-for.

The skipper ended the day along with Nasir Hossain (19 not out) without any danger. The Australians dropped batsman Usman Khawaja, picked three spinners and brought in allrounder Hilton Cartwright as a seam bowling backup for Cummins in a revamped lineup that is trying to avoid a first-ever test series defeat to Bangladesh.