Elated after bringing the much-vaunted Indian batting on its knees, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said maintaining a stifling line and length did the trick for his bowlers on the opening day of the first Test in Chittagong on Sunday.
Bangladesh have India on the mat at 213 for eight with Shakib and Shahadat Hossain picking up four wickets apiece on the opening day of the first Test.
"Our plan was to bowl a good line and length and the bowlers did their job today. Fielders also supported them well though there were a couple of dropped catches," Shakib said.
"We know that India have a strong batting line-up but they can make mistakes if we bowled a tight line and length and that happened. The fast bowlers bowled really well," he added.
Shakib said the early moisture on the wicket allowed the spinners to grip the ball well for extracting the turn on offer.
"I thought there was something in the wicket for the bowlers, there was some moisture. I was able to grip the ball well and that is why I got the turn," said the left-arm spinner who took 4 for 52 from 26 overs.
Shakib was all praise for pacer Shahadat, who was the other tormentor for Indian batsmen with a fine effort of 4 for 51 from 14 overs.
"It is difficult to bowl line and length if you are making a comeback but Shahadat did that today. It is good for him as he is the kind of bowler who is charged up when he takes wickets. It is good for the team. I know he can do even better," he said.
Shakib said his side would be looking to take the two Indian wickets quickly tomorrow and bat the whole day thereafter.
"Sachin Tendulkar is still there but he is with a tailender. We can remove the other batsmen (tailenders) and we want to bat through the second day," he said.
