DHAKA, Dec 11: Indian batting star Sachin Tendulkar thrived on Bangladesh's fielding lapses to smash a world record-equalling 34th Test century on the second day of the first Test here on Saturday.

Tendulkar was let off twice during his unbeaten 159 as India posted 348 for seven wickets in their first innings at stumps in reply to Bangladesh's modest 184.

The Indian maestro equalled compatriot Sunil Gavaskar's world mark with a single to mid-on off paceman Tapash Baisya in the afternoon session. He also achieved a rare feat of scoring a century against each Test-playing nation.

Tendulkar, who had failed to reach double-figures in seven of his last 10 Test innings, was let off twice before reaching the milestone during his 272-ball knock which contained 23 fours.

The hosts paid heavily for these lapses as Tendulkar went from strength to strength, making it a toigh day in the field for Bangladesh.

Tendulkar changed the course of the match with his drought-ending knock after Test minnows Bangladesh had put India on the back foot with three wickets for 68 runs in the morning session.

He put on 164 for the fourth wicket with skipper Sourav Ganguly to pull his team out of early trouble. Ganguly contributed 71 before being bowled in the last over before the tea-break by seamer Baisya.

Tendulkar hardly looked convincing in the early part of his knock as he was dropped on 28 and 47, both easy chances.

Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar was the hapless fielder on the first occasion, dropping a regulation slip catch off paceman Mashrafe Mortaza.

Then Rajin Saleh failed to latch on to a catch at silly-point off left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique.

Tendulkar never looked back after that, exploding with a flurry of strokes on a flat track, demoralising the Bangladeshi bowlers and fielders.

But Bangladesh were impressive in the morning session, giving a scare or two to India with their tight pace bowling.

New-ball bowlers Baisya and Mortaza troubled the Indian top order during their lively opening spells. Each took an early wicket to reduce the visitors to 24-2.

Baisya struck first when he trapped Virender Sehwag (13) leg-before before Mortaza produced a gem of a delivery to dismiss Rahul Dravid for no score.

Dravid made an error in judgement, shouldering arms to a delivery that nipped back to send his off-stump cartwheeling.

Left-handed opener Gautam Gambhir looked solid during his 50-ball 35 before being run out following a mix-up with Tendulkar.

But Bangladesh's celebrations were soon over as Tendulkar and Ganguly both batted aggressively to put their team in a strong position.

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