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Bangladesh had a plan for Smith: Mehedi

Spinner Mehedi Hasan says Bangladesh made plans for Australian skipper Steve Smith before his cheap dismissal during the first Test in Dhaka.

Australian cricket team captain Steve Smith
Captain Steve Smith wasn't the only Australian batsman to struggle against Bangladesh. (AAP)

Bangladesh believe they've found a chink in Steve Smith's armour after the Australian skipper fell cheaply during the first Test in Dhaka.

So often Australia's saviour, Smith made it to just the third over of day two before being dismissed for eight to leave the visitors in serious trouble on 4-33.

He charged down the pitch to a full delivery from right-arm off-spinner Mehedi Hasan that went straight past the inside edge and clattered into his leg stump.

It was an uncharacteristic error for Smith, who averaged an astonishing 71.28 during the tour of India earlier this year to cement his status as the world's premier Test batsman.

For Bangladesh, it was the result of careful scouting on the part of skipper Mushfiqur Rahim to contain a batsman who had loomed as an obvious threat.

"We had a plan for Smith," Mehidi said.

"When I bowled to him yesterday, Mushfiqur told me that I should bowl around the wicket to him.

"If I can bowl in the right place, we can stop him.

"He won't be able to use his feet. There will be a chance to get him out stumped or get a catch somewhere.

"I listened to him, bowled around the wicket, and it made my job easy."

Bangladesh went on to bowl out Australia for 217 before reaching 1-45 at stumps to extend their overall lead to 88 runs.

The 19-year-old Mehedi finished with 3-62, partnering well with left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, who claimed 5-68.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


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