Sachin Tendulkar Saturday scored a world record-equalling 34th Test century to help India to 348 for seven wickets in their first innings at the end of the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh here.

When play was called off early due to poor visibility, Tendulkar was batting on 159 (272 balls, 23x4s), after having helped India to a lead of 164 runs in reply to Bangladesh's 184.

Anil Kumble, the other unbeaten batsman, was yet to open his account.

Captain Sourav Ganguly was the second highest scorer with a fine 71 (123 balls, 13x4s).

Tendulkar, playing his 119th Test, equalled Sunil Gavaskar's world record that had stood since 1987 when the legendary opener retired. Tendulkar made his Test debut on the 1989 tour of Pakistan.

Tendulkar lived a charmed life at the crease Saturday, having got reprieves at 28 and 47 before dominating a none-too-impressive attack.

With his 34th hundred - the first in his second Test against Bangladesh - Tendulkar has become only the third player in the 127-year Test history to score centuries against all opposing Test-playing nations, nine.

South Africa's Gary Kirsten and former Australia captain Steve Waugh are the other two who have scored centuries against nine Test countries.

Earlier in the day, Virender Sehwag (13), Gautam Gambhir (35) and Rahul Dravid (0) were dismissed rather cheaply.

--Indo-Asian News Service