Tamim Iqbal crashed an exhilarating 65 not out off 57 balls as Bangladesh reached 96 for no loss at tea on Day T\vo of the second and final Test at Old Trafford on Saturday in reply to England's 419 all out.

For the third consecutive innings, the Bangladesh openers passed 80 together, taking advantage of a lacklustre bowling display from England.

Imrul Kayes was unbeaten on 19 from 52 deliveries. It was the perfect start for the tourists who need to win to draw the series.

The ultra-aggressive Tamim, who made 55 and a dashing 103 at Lord's where his side lost, cut, drove and

slashed anything loose.

He was providing England captain Andrew Strauss with a quandary having seen his four-man attack struggle to pose a threat in hot and sunny, good batting conditions.

Even after introducing off-spinner Graeme Swann in the 10th over, on a turning pitch, England still looked toothless.

Tamim skipped down the pitch and drove Swann over long-on for six to reach his 50 from 43 balls. He had hit eight fours as well.

England's bowling analysis was not too flattering with opening pair lames Anderson conceding 33 runs from his six overs and Steven Finn 24 from four.

Earlier, Ian Bell's 11th Test century, and third against Bangladesh, helped put England in command before leftarm spinner Shakib Al Hasan claimed three wickets for two runs in 13 balls. The left-arm spinner finished with innings figures of five for 121 in 37.3 overs and, in the process, denied wicketkeeper Matt Prior a third Test century.

Bell was bowled by a sharply spun delivery from for 128, while Prior missed his century and was caught at point for 93 trying a reverse sweep. Bell and Prior combined in a valuable sixth-wicket partnership of 153 which is an England record against the Tigers. They surpassed the 143 Bell and Tim Bresnan put on at Mirpur in March.

The Bangladesh flag at the

ground flew at half-mast in respect for those who died in the Dhaka blaze on Thursday. The Bangladesh players continued to wear black armbands.

Having gone for his shots throughout his innings Prior, the last of whose two Test tons, both against the West Indies, came in Port-of-Spain last year, saw a bold reverse sweep off Shakib go straight to Jahurul Islam at point.

It seemed England would get through the morning session without losing a wicket until Bell was bowled. He, in for five-and-a-half hours, faced 255 balls with a six and 12 fours, having come in when England were struggling at 83 for three.

England resumed on 275 forfive with Bell 87 not out and Prior 21 not out.

SCOREBOARD

Scoreboard at tea on the second day of the second Test between England and Bangladesh at Old Trafford on Saturday:

ENGLAND: First innings (overnight275-5)

Strauss c Kayes bShafiul 21

CookcZunaedbRazzak 29

TYott bShafiul 3

Pietersen st Mushfiqurb Shakib 64

BellbShakib 128

Morgan c Jahurul bShahadat 37

Prior c Jahurul b Shakib 93

Swann lbw b Razzak 20

Shahzadc Razzak b Shakib 5 Anderson not out 2

Finn lbw b Shakib 0

Extras: (b-6,lb-5,w-4,nb-2) 17

Total:(Alloutin121.3 overs) 419

Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-48, 3-83, 4-153, 5-223, 6-376, 7-399, 8-414,9-419,10-419.

Bowler O M R W

Shahadat 21 3 84 1

Shafiul 21 2 63 2

Mahmudullah 12 1 31 0

Shakib 37.3 4 121 5

Razzak 30 3 109 2

BANGLADESH: First innings Tamim not out 65

Imrulnotout 19

Extras: (lb-6,w-5,nb-l) 12

Total: (Forno loss in 18 overs) 96 To bat: Zunaed, Jahurul, Ashraful, Shakib, Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah, Shahadat, Razzak, Shafiul.

Bowler O M R W

Anderson 6 0 33 0

Finn 4 1 24 0

Swann 5 1 18 0

Shahzad 3 0 15 0