Rafiq leads England resistance
In another rain-hit day in Chittagong, England Under-19s clawed their way from 124 for 5 to 201 for 7, thanks to a patient half-century from captain Azeem Rafiq
Cricinfo staff
18-Oct-2009
England Under-19 201 for 7 (Rafiq 55, Hossain 3-46) v Bangladesh Under-19
In another rain-hit day in Chittagong, England Under-19s clawed their way from 124 for 5 to 201 for 7, thanks to a patient half-century from captain Azeem Rafiq. Only 40 overs was play was possible on the second day of their four-day match against Bangladesh U-19s.
It was not a day for quick scoring. Rafiq hit only three fours in his stubborn 53, and the batsmen he built partnerships with were even slower; Paul Best took up 74 balls for his 24 and wicketkeeper Michael Bates compiled a snail-paced 82-ball 18. Bates and Calum Hagget (6*) were unbeaten at stumps.
Legspinner Nur Hossain, who took three wickets to stall England on Friday, couldn't add to his tally of wickets. Left-arm spinner Shaker Ahmed got the day's first wicket, removing Best, and seamer Alauddin Babu, who got Rafiq lbw, was the day's other successful bowler.