England batsman Ian Bell swelled his average against Bangladesh to 197 with an unbeaten 87 on the opening day of the second test at Old Trafford Friday. Playing his sixth test against Bangladesh, Bell helped England to a competitive 275 for five when bad light stopped play after Kevin Pietersen (64) had succumbed to a left-arm spinner for the 17th time since March, 2008. Bangladesh, which needs to win to draw the two-match series after losing at Lord's, started brightly when recalled pace bowler Shafiul Islam removed Andrew Strauss (21) and Jonathan Trott (3). Strauss pushed forward to a ball just short of a length on off-stump and edged to second slip Imrul Kayes. Trott, following his 226 at Lord's, was then bowled for three after an inside edge on to his pad. Another recalled player, left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, had Alastair Cook caught at slip for 29 with his first ball. The day then developed into the “Pietersen Show”, which ended in a familiar fashion. Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons had promised on Thursday that his spinners would test Pietersen's “vulnerable” technique and they did not let him down, bowling 52 of the 83 overs on a turning, slow pitch. Pietersen had appeared intent on disproving Siddons and before lunch he advanced down the pitch and drove Shakib through mid-on for four while still in single figures. He reached his half-century with a single, after two boundaries from an off-drive and a pull in the same 36th over, and shortly afterward he slogged Razzak over long-on for a six. But, once again, Pietersen was dismissed by left-arm spin while looking in control. Shakib looped the ball into the batsman, who was advancing down the pitch, and managed to get the ball to turn away and beat the bat for wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim to complete a routine stumping. Shakib pumped his fist in celebration.
