DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Kevin Harvick’s NASCAR Cup Series career won’t be ending anytime soon as the 2014 series champion has signed a contract extension to remain with Stewart-Haas Racing through 2023.

Harvick’s current contract with the team was set to expire in 2021, but now he is set to drive Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 4 Ford Mustang through at least the 2023 season.

By signing the contract extension, Harvick has made the decision to focus solely on his on-track duties rather than take on a larger television role as had been previously speculated.

“The TV and radio stuff is definitely something I’m extremely interested in,” Harvick said. “I talked with some of my friends in the offseason about where I’m at with things and everybody told me the same thing. If you’re not done with the competitive side of it, then keep chasing that side.

“I’ve got everything around me that I need to be competitive, so I’m going to continue doing that.”

This year will be Harvick’s 20th full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series and his seventh driving for Stewart-Haas Racing. In addition to the 2014 Cup Series championship, Harvick won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship twice – in 2001 and 2006.

He’s won more than 100 races in NASCAR’s three national divisions, including 49 in the Cup Series, 47 in the Xfinity Series and 14 in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

POMONA, Calif. – Kalitta Motorsports has announced that Fifth Third Bank has signed a multi-year contract to join the team as a sponsor.

The longtime financial partner with Kalitta Air and Kalitta Charters will join NGK Spark Plugs, Mobil 1 and Osborn as new sponsors to Kalitta Motorsports in the past 60 days.

“Fifth Third Bank is looking forward to extending our brand into what has historically been a very popular sport with a hugely loyal and active fan base – and to do so with a top-flight team like Kalitta Motorsports is a significant win,” said David Girodat, eastern Michigan regional president for Fifth Third Bank. “We are excited to enhance our motorsports practice through this strategic partnership.”

Fifth Third Bank will be featured on the Top Fuel dragsters and fire suits of Doug Kalitta and Shawn Langdon, drivers of the Mac Tools and DHL dragsters respectively. They will also be incorporated into the dynamic Kalitta Motorsports trackside business to business program hosting guests and VIPs at select NHRA races across the country.

“We are very happy to have the opportunity to introduce Fifth Third Bank to the world of NHRA,” said Connie Kalitta, owner of Kalitta Air and Kalitta Motorsports. “Fifth Third has been a trusted business partner of the Kalitta Companies for quite some time and we look forward to helping Fifth Third Bank utilize this partnership to grow their business platform. I feel our business to business program will complement their existing motorsports programs perfectly.”

Through its new partnership with Kalitta Motorsports, as well as existing partnerships in NASCAR and IndyCar, Fifth Third Bank further demonstrates its commitment to supporting the sport and providing the financial expertise – garnered through its extensive involvement in racing over the years – to benefit racing businesses, including suppliers, teams, tracks and other corporate sponsors connected to the sport.

“I have worked with Fifth Third Bank for many years on the aviation side of my business,” said Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. “I am very excited to introduce them to the world of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing. This will be an exciting partnership and great addition to our existing and new sponsorship team.”

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series is returning to Gondik Law Speedway on Tuesday, July 14, marking the first time since 2013 the series is racing at the northwestern Wisconsin venue.

“We’ve been trying to get a World of Outlaws race for the last several years, but it conflicted with our fair week each time,” promoter Joe Stariha said. “This year our fair week changed, which made it possible to schedule this race. We’re excited to host the big names like Chris Madden, Scott Bloomquist, Brandon Sheppard and all of the other great national talent the World of Outlaws brings to town.”

The track is a wide, weeping third-eighths-mile track and is home to many WISSOTA Late Model regulars.

“It’s cool to see the growth and interest in our series in that area,” said Series Director Casey Shuman. “The fans and tracks are excited, and it’s becoming its own Northern Speedweeks in July.”

Tim McCreadie, the 2006 series champion, was the most recent Morton Buildings feature winner at Gondik Law (previously known as Amsoil Speedway), holding off fellow Outlaw champions Rick Eckert and Darrell Lanigan for his fourth win of that season.

Scott Bloomquist took the checkers in the tour’s first visit to the track in 1989 (then known as Superior Speedway), and Menomonie, Wis.-native Jimmy Mars took the win in the series’ return to the facility 21 years later in 2010.

Three-time Series champion Billy Moyer holds the most series wins in the Badger State with nine since his first in the inaugural season of 1988. Two-time and defending series champion Brandon Sheppard follows with seven, and a three-way tie sits for third ranking – Chris Madden, Shane Clanton and Jonathan Davenport each have three wins.

DELAWARE, Ohio – Jeg Coughlin Jr. has announced 2020 will be his last full-time season in professional drag racing.

He’ll complete his full-time racing efforts alongside teammate Erica Enders at Elite Motorsports, driving the JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro tuned by Rickie Jones in the NHRA’s Pro Stock class. Coughlin’s final campaign will be dubbed the “Breaking Barriers Tour,” in reference to his many racing accomplishments.

Beyond this season, Coughlin plans to continue competing in select NHRA events at the Sportsman level as well as some local and national bracket races. He also isn’t ruling out the possibility of returning to Pro Stock for the occasional race, should an opportunity present itself.

“Since 1997, I’ve been able to live out my biggest childhood dream by racing with my family and following my Dad and older brother Troy into the professional ranks and racing a Pro Stock car,” Coughlin said. “We’ve been able to win six championships, five in Pro Stock, and 82 national events in a variety of classes. It’s been a remarkable run.

“It certainly hasn’t been an individual effort. It’s taken so many talented crewmen and crew chiefs, engine builders and chassis experts, my incredible family, everyone at JEGS, and all the other companies that have partnered with us through the years. I couldn’t have asked for a better scenario.”

The main impetus for Coughlin’s decision to slow down is to redirect the amount of time and effort it takes to professionally race. The NHRA reduced the Pro Stock schedule from 24 to 18 races last year, which helped some, but the demands were still significant enough for him to make the call to step back.

“The transition to 18 events was great for me,” Coughlin said. “It allowed for more family time as well as some extra work days at JEGS. I realized early on how nice it was to be more present outside of racing. Our daughter Carly is 5 this year and has so much going on, and my son Jeg III is 23, graduating from college in the spring and is ready to chase his dream of playing professional golf and ultimately on the PGA Tour. We stay busy, and it was great to be there for many more moments last year.”

Coughlin had so much fun with his extra time off that he almost jumped off the professional carousel at the conclusion of the season. But the numbers added up a little better for one last full-scale campaign.

“This is the 50th year of Pro Stock and the NHRA has some neat things planned to celebrate that milestone,” Coughlin said. “Our company is celebrating its 60th year in business, so we’ll be able to promote that occasion with our race program. Plus, I’m turning 50 so it seems like a bunch of things fell into place to continue into 2020.

“The support of the fans also has driven me for many years. People stopping by and sharing stories or even just hollering the famed ‘JEGGGSSS’ when we roll through the pits is so cool. We’re lucky to have so many supporters.”

In addition to his six NHRA Pro Stock titles, he also claimed the Super Gas title in 1992. He has 82 national event wins, including 62 in Pro Stock. He’s also the only driver to win a national event in seven different eliminator classes – including four in one season – and the only professional to win from all 16 qualifying positions.

Coughlin won in just his second Pro Stock start and was named Rookie of the Year the following season in 1998. He also earned a spot in the Car Craft Allstar Team on several occasions and won the $50K Winston Invitational.

At the Sportsman level, Coughlin was crowned the Moroso 5-Day Overall Champion and Race of Champions winner. He is a two-time JEGS Allstar Champion and the Hemi Shootout champ.

“We’ve definitely had some fun,” Coughlin said. “And my passion to continue is still there. I’m not hanging up my helmet by any means. It’s just that as we age our priorities shift and other things move to the forefront. It’s been an incredible ride and it’s not an ending, just pulling back a touch.”

Fans of the yellow-and-black JEGS team may have a new Pro Stock driver to cheer for in the future as third-generation ace Troy Coughlin Jr. recently tested in his Uncle Jeg’s race car.

“I’ve had countless conversations and races alongside Troy Jr. as he was growing up,” Jeg said. “He’s always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps in Pro Stock, and we had a great time in our pre-season testing together. In fact, I made three runs total and he made 21. If the stars align and Pro Stock is indeed his future he would do a remarkable job.”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Ty Dillon and Bubba Wallace topped a pair of practice sessions for the season-opening Daytona 500 on Saturday afternoon at Daytona Int’l Speedway.

Dillon set the fastest lap of the day in the opening practice, circling the historic 2.5-mile superspeedway in 44.809 seconds for a speed of 203.592 mph.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was second fastest in the first session and overall with a fast lap of 44.293 seconds at 203.192 mph. Dillon and Stenhouse were the only drivers to top the 203 mph mark on Saturday.

Denny Hamlin was third fastest in the opening session, followed by Erik Jones and Martin Truex Jr. The top-13 drivers in the first practice all surpassed the 200 mph barrier on Saturday afternoon.

Wallace moved his Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet to the top of the speed charts during the second session, though he was more than a second off the time set by Dillon in the opening practice.

The driver of the No. 43 Chevrolet ran a best lap of 45.878 seconds at 196.172 mph. He was followed by rookie Cole Custer in the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in second. Another rookie, John Hunter Nemechek, was third, followed by Alex Bowman and seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson.

The only significant incident took place during the second practice. Brad Keselowski’s No. 2 Ford suffered damage to the ride side of the car in the garage area and he didn’t turn a lap in the second session. His team spent the practice repairing the damage to the car ahead of Daytona 500 qualifications on Sunday.

NASCAR Cup Series qualifying for the Daytona 500 is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. EST at Daytona Int’l Speedway.

The R&A announced Saturday that it has postponed the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship amid concerns over the continued spread of the coronavirus.

The event was set to be played from Feb. 12-15 at Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand.

“The decision has been taken amid serious concerns for the safety of players and officials travelling during the current coronavirus outbreak,” R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said in a statement.

“Our utmost priority is to ensure their safety and the advice we have received in the last 24 hours is that we should not ask them to travel at this time.”

The statement did not provide a timetable for when the event might be held, only that the R&A hopes “to reschedule the championship later this year.”

Per NBC News, coronavirus has claimed the lives of at least 724 individuals around the world; there are more than 34,500 cases of the virus in mainland China alone.

The R&A’s announcement comes on the heels of the LPGA’s own decision to cancel its Blue Bay LPGA event set to be held on China’s Hainan Island in March. Of note, the LPGA is still scheduled to play its own event at Siam Country Club – the Honda LPGA Thailand – from Feb. 19-23. 

The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific was founded by the R&A and Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation in 2018. Its winner earns exemptions into the AIG Women’s British Open and the Evian Championship as well as an invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Hellas Verona produced a huge upset by coming from behind to beat Serie A leaders Juventus 2-1 at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on Saturday, inflicting a third defeat of the season on the Italian champions.

Cristiano Ronaldo set a new Juventus record by scoring in a 10th consecutive league game to put the visitors in front after 65 minutes.

Yet Ivan Juric's side left the visitors stunned as Fabio Borini struck an equaliser before a late penalty from substitute Giampaolo Pazzini completed the comeback.

Juve remain on top of the table on 54 points, but Inter Milan will draw level with them if they beat AC Milan on Sunday, and third-placed Lazio will go one point off top if they win at Parma.

Verona moved up to sixth place on 34 points, stretching their unbeaten run to eight games.

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti was furious at full-back Djibril Sidibe after his substitution onto the pitch was delayed because he left his sock in the dressing room.

Sidibe was about to replace the injured Theo Walcott in the first half but realised he had forgotten his left sock which led to an animated reaction from Ancelotti.

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The defender disappeared down the tunnel and emerged minutes later to help Everton secure a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.

Sockgate ? Sidibé can't come on as sub straight away as he forgets to put on one sock #EVECRY @btsportfootball pic.twitter.com/fCwfVAYBOs

— Des Kelly (@DesKellyBTS) February 8, 2020

The win helped Ancelotti find the funny side of the substitution when he was asked about it during a post-match news conference.

"He forgot the socks," he said. "A new experience for me. Also for him, I think."

Goals from Bernard, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin helped Everton leapfrog Manchester United into seventh position and they sit five points off the Champions League places.

Christian Benteke scored for Palace through a mistake from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford but Ancelotti defended the England international after the game.

"The keeper can make mistakes," he added. "It can happen. After that he did a fantastic save."

Since Ancelotti replaced Marco Silva in December, only Liverpool have earned more points in the Premier League than Everton.

Everton travel to Arsenal in their next league match on Feb. 23.

Major League Soccer celebrates its 25th anniversary with the kickoff of the 2020 season. The fun begins on Feb. 29 with Opening Weekend, and the first broadcasts to air on ESPN take place on March 1, when the reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders host the new-look Chicago Fire (3 p.m. ET, LIVE on ESPN) and David Beckham's Inter Miami play their first competitive match in a glamour tie at LAFC (5:30 p.m. ET, LIVE on ESPN).

Of course, with any new season comes a raft of new kits. With all 26 clubs introducing new kits to celebrate the league's 25th season in existence, ESPN ranked the new threads from top to bottom.

1. Sporting Kansas City

What we like: The polka dots. Sporting says they're inspired by metallic fins that adorn the exterior of Children's Mercy Park, which makes for a genuine connection to the club's roots, while also giving the shirt a distinct and clean look.

What we don't: This will be a recurring theme, but it's a shame the template Adidas has used for this year's shirts necessitates solid-colored shoulders; these would've looked killer with the polka dots all over.

The verdict: There are a number of wild kits in 2020, and Sporting has found the elusive balance between boldness and restraint.

2. Minnesota United

What we like: The club finally gave the fans the loon wing they've been asking for since its first year in MLS, and the hand-drawn component is a fun touch. The blue of the shoulder stripes really pops against the club's traditional home gray.

What we don't: The way the sponsor logo lays over the wing, with a gray fill behind the logo obscuring the shape of the hand-drawn graphic.

The verdict: It's sure to be a fan favorite, which is all any club can ask for.

3. D.C. United

What we like: It's not necessarily a throwback, but D.C.'s new shirt is awfully reminiscent of the club's inaugural outfit: all black, with red and white accents and no frills to speak of. It's a return to the club's roots, a reestablishment of its identity.

What we don't: It's picking nits, but the "Unite the District" jock tag uses a different font from what's in the club crest and the back of the neck.

The verdict: MLS doesn't have the same history as other leagues, entering just its 25th season. It's good to see clubs use what heritage they have.

4. Vancouver Whitecaps

What we like: The embossed wave pattern in the jersey, which is a nod both to the city's flag as well as the Burrard Inlet, which the city rests against.

What we don't: The monochromatic crest. The stripes over the shoulder are white -- why can't the crest include some, too?

The verdict: The Whitecaps are routinely one of the best-looking teams in MLS, and this shirt does nothing to change that.

5. Orlando City

What we like: The purple sun radiating from the crest looks gorgeous, and the state of Florida jock tag might just be the best in MLS.

What we don't: The abrupt change from the sun's purple rays to the bright white of the shoulders.

The verdict: Possessing one of the most distinctive palettes in MLS, Orlando finally has a shirt to match its regal colors.

6. FC Dallas

What we like: The return of the hoops! The differing widths of these bands and the fact that there's no white make for an original take on Dallas' traditional design.

What we don't: How many of those unique hoops could be hidden players who insist on tucking their shirts into their shorts? That'd be a real shame.

The verdict: The best kit Dallas has had in, well, probably ever.

7. LAFC

What we like: The ghost-like embossed black stripes are very sharp. Without them, the shirt would fall flat.

What we don't: The black-on-black shoulder stripes are understated, which lends the shirt further class, but a club becoming known as the gold standard in MLS should have as much gold on its shirts as possible.

The verdict: It's clean, it's simple, it's classic.

8. Atlanta United

What we like: The embossed herringbone pattern is probably the best subtle touch of this year's class of shirts, and Atlanta says the kit is filled with "drip drop swagger and all gold everything," which -- as pointed out in the LAFC entry -- is good.

What we don't: This kit was designed by the same person at Adidas responsible for this year's Real Madrid home kit, and it shows.

The verdict: Atlanta continues its tradition of away kits more aesthetically pleasing than its home colors, following 2018's King Peach.

9. Real Salt Lake

What we like: That there's a story in this bold graphic pattern, which is an abstract take on a topographic map, paying tribute to the mountainous terrain of Utah.

What we don't: Apologies for continuing to beat this dead horse, but would like to see the bold pattern continue up the shoulders and sleeves.

The verdict: Adidas' best work yet with RSL's primary colors.

10. Portland Timbers

What we like: The wood grain inside the hoops! My goodness, the wood grain! What a touch.

What we don't: That unless you're three feet away, you'd never know the wood grain was there. Also, the gold stripes over the shoulders are a little aggressive for an otherwise stately shirt.

The verdict: Excellent details, but this shirt is simultaneously staid and overaggressive.

11. New York Red Bulls

What we like: The all-black kit with bright red accent work catches the eye expertly, and the MetroStars jock tag is a wonderful nod to the club's 25-year history.

What we don't: That there aren't more tributes to the old MetroStars identity.

The verdict: There aren't many kits this season that are sharper than this one, but more Metros love would've been a smash hit.

12. Seattle Sounders

What we like: The Cascadia flag on the back of the neck, the three-dimensional state of Washington jock tag and the endless waves paying homage to the Puget Sound.

What we don't: The placement of the gold star commemorating the Sounders' MLS Cup triumph.

The verdict: The loudest shirt to use this template, the way the Wave Green contrasts with the big Three Stripes and bold blue collar and cuffs takes some getting used to, but the little details outlined above are exquisite.

13. LA Galaxy

What we like: The "Since 96" branding works in the Galaxy's favor in their battle with upstart LAFC for the soul of Los Angeles, and it makes for a meaningful jock tag.

What we don't: Since when has silver been a prominent color for the five-time MLS Cup winners?

The verdict: It's actually a pretty sharp design, but it's impossible to escape the question of "Why silver?".

14. Houston Dynamo

What we like: The graphic pattern is said to be inspired by Houston's never-stop-moving personality, which is a challenging visual to pin down, but the graphic itself is appeasing.

What we don't: The pattern features so many lines of orange that the print never quite looks altogether black or orange, which makes its meeting with the all-black shoulders and bright orange stripes jarring.

The verdict: With some more restrained use of orange in the pattern, this could've been a real winner.

15. Toronto FC

What we like: Toronto has an incredible city flag, so its inclusion on the back of the neck is perfect. To add the cities that surround Toronto to the jock tag is a surefire way to earn some goodwill from those in The Six and beyond.

What we don't: The graphic pattern. It's reminiscent of the first generation of Adidas' Nemeziz, and it's hard to gather what its inspiration is.

The verdict: Some promising elements to this shirt with some charming connections to the city, but it's missing a theme.

16. New York City FC

What we like: The raised New York City flag housing the "NYC" from the club's crest is a phenomenal touch for the back of the neck.

What we don't: The lozenge graphic is said to be inspired by the architecture of the Brooklyn Bridge, but it's really hard not to see the Bavarian flag and its constant reminders of Bayern Munich.

The verdict: The parallels to the Bavarian flag are too strong to ignore, even if the subtle details are impressive.

17. Colorado Rapids

What we like: This is a color palette that really works with this Adidas template, the sky blue stripes over the shoulder popping in perfect contrast to the shirt's burgundy.

What we don't: It's clean, it's sharp, but there's little in this shirt that will make you stand up and take notice.

The verdict: Presumably the embossed diagonal stripes recall feelings climbing, of altitude -- you know, like in the Rockies -- but it's challenging to discern much personality from this kit, even if the colors work spectacularly well with this template.

18. Philadelphia Union

What we like: The embossed snake gives the Union's shirt flair without making a stately color palette appear ostentatious.

What we don't: There really isn't anything to dislike about it, but at the same time, there's not a lot to it beyond the embossed snake -- which will be hard to see without standing three feet away or actively looking for it.

The verdict: It's clever, it's easy on the eye, but ultimately it's rather forgettable.

19. New England Revolution

What we like: The white band across the front of the shirt is a reimagining of the club's inaugural shirt, which is the sort of recognition of history each original MLS franchise should strive for.

What we don't: If you're going to reimagine the white band, why not remagine the sunburst-like pattern that also festooned that 1996 top?

The verdict: It's a throwback to the very beginning of MLS, with a modern interpretation. Solid, if unspectacular execution.

20. Inter Miami

What we like: The embossed herons all over the shirt are incredibly classy, taking the premier element of one of the best crests in the league and lending it to the rest of the shirt.

What we don't: It was probably unrealistic to expect Inter to adopt the Miami Heat's Vice jerseys, but this much black and this little pink is a disappointment.

The verdict: It's a classy execution, but for the city of Miami and the colors at the club's disposal, this shirt is too conservative.

21. San Jose Earthquakes

What we like: All the nods to the city: the state flag being the inspiration for the front of the shirt, and the jock tag, and "San Jose" being printed on the back of the neck. This shirt screams "South Bay!"

What we don't: It's not the Quakes' fault, but the San Jose city flag looks like an old (and upside down) Visa logo. Before San Jose loses its collective cool, it's a great flag, but for a shirt that's meant to be plastered with sponsors, the similarities to a once-prominent logo is not ideal.

The verdict: This will probably be a smash hit in the South Bay, and thus is probably being grossly underrated, but you can't unsee that Visa logo.

22. Columbus Crew

What we like: The bold gold shoulder stripes recall the early days of Crew, with big swathes of black and gold, evoking memories of the three men in hardhats.

What we don't: The Crew say the graphic pattern on the front of the shirt is checkerboard, which would make for nice a tie in to the club's crest, but the futuristic take on that pattern doesn't fit MLS' first club celebrating its 25th year of existence.

The verdict: If there was one club who deserved a proper throwback, it's the Crew. And this isn't it.

23. Nashville SC

What we like: The pop of the electric gold catches the eye exceedingly well when set against the acoustic blue shirt, and the neck tape featuring sound waves made up of a ceaseless string of N's is a nice touch.

What we don't: While several shirts have used embossing or raised three-dimensional elements to lend themselves texture, Nashville's is missing that, and comes across as a bit flat.

The verdict: There's potential in the colors, but this top is a little short on character.

24. FC Cincinnati

What we like: The introduction of navy provides some added depth to what was already a pretty strong color combination.

What we don't: You have to look closely to see it, but the narrow stripe separating the two sides of this half-and-half shirt make it a challenge not to see Juventus' home top from this season.

The verdict: It's a step in the right direction for Cincinnati, if only a small one.

25. Montreal Impact

What we like: That the pinstripes are hand drawn.

What we don't: The distinct lack of color.

The verdict: If there were a story behind the color choices, the grayscale kit would be more tolerable, but there doesn't seem to be -- at least not that the club is telling.

26. Chicago Fire

What we like: You can't go wrong with pinstripes, and this shirt definitely has them.

What we don't: The Fire's rebrand happened too late in the process for Adidas to create the club a bespoke kit from the template every other MLS club is using, which leaves this shirt looking somewhat incomplete.

The verdict: Let's consider this incomplete, and wait for the 2021 kits to truly judge Chicago.

Pakistan scored at a rate of 3.89 runs per over on the second day of their first Test against Bangladesh, ending the day on 342 for 3. Their scoring rate though, also pointed at how little the Bangladesh bowlers threatened while toiling at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The lack of pace from the seamers, in particular, is something that newly appointed bowling coach Ottis Gibson will want to work on.

Historically, Bangladesh haven't produced out-and-out fast bowlers and it's been their spinners who have led the way. The spinners have helped them be a force at home, while the seamers have tended to cover the deficit in pace with discipline. However, that discipline was lacking on Saturday. The pitch had followed the pattern of the first day, offering help early and then going flat. It required bowlers to be patient, but Bangladesh's bowlers weren't consistent and rarely created opportunities.

Abu Jayed showed the most control, with 73% dot balls and two wickets. But Ebadat Hossain not only conceded 78 runs in 14.5 overs to be the most expensive bowler, he also dropped Babar Azam at mid-off when the batsman was only on 2. Azam ended the day unbeaten on 143. Rubel Hossain conceded 77 runs in 17 overs, while Taijul Islam took the heaviest workload, bowling 34 overs for 111 runs, and getting the prize wicket of Shan Masood for 100.

However, Gibson, who is on his first series with Bangladesh, gave credit to his bowlers for not giving up. "We did some good things .. we got an early wicket and we bowled well in patches but perhaps we didn't build pressure long enough," Gibson said. "We are behind obviously in the game we still have three days to go and still an opportunity tomorrow to come back. Learn the lessons from today, that we have to be a lot more consistent and we have to create chances, and when we do, we have to grab them. That nick that we didn't even appeal for [off Masood when he was on 86, in the 45th over off Rubel's bowling], and then a dropped catch that could have made a difference. So overall, it was a tough day.

"We are still in the game and we when we have the opportunity, we have to bat better in the second innings. I thought we tried hard today. We got an early wicket which encouraged us, but after that we didn't perhaps build on that pressure we created. We let the batsmen get off to a relatively easy start, gave too many boundaries early on. But I thought that all through the day, even at the end, we tried hard and it's not a case that we gave up. We gave Babar a chance and he punished us. Shan Masood batted very well all day .. he was solid and compact and didn't give us much until he got out."

Gibson's previous experiences as a coach have been with England and South Africa, where he had several fast bowlers clocking over 140 kph. He doesn't have the same luxury with Bangladesh, but he was happy to work with the talent available. "There is a lot to work on for sure, but generally, when you played against Bangladesh you often saw just one fast bowler, but here we have three seamers bowling which is great for us," Gibson said. "We've got good seamers, but obviously we have a lot of work to do. My job at the moment is to sit and watch and understand what they are capable of doing before I jump in and start trying to change things, so I am having a really good look at them.

"There is enough talent but the guys are clearly short of pace. Most of our guys bowl between 130 and short of 138, and Abu Jayed is capable of bowling 140. But conditions also plays a part in the psyche of a fast bowler .. these guys grew up bowling on flat pitches in Bangladesh. One of the things we are trying to do is encourage them even if we can take them outside Bangladesh for camps, so that they can see the ball flying through like everywhere else in the world."

There was some lateral movement, but during the day, bowlers hardly pushed batsmen on the back foot, and didn't beat the bat or hit the pads very often either.

"I think you would have seen today the ball's movement and that's the one skill we have so we can make the ball swing, move it in the air and off the pitch but we just lacked a little bit of pace and physicality. That is there genetically so nothing we can do about that, but if a guy can bowl 130 and have other skills like we saw in some of our bowlers then it's okay. But when we go away from home, that is where our challenges are which come where the wicket is flat .. in my opinion it's a very flat pitch here. We should have made more runs yesterday and we could have bowled better today."