Bangladesh top-order frustrates New Zealand in attritional session

Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam continued the good work of the bowlers by sharing a vital opening stand of 43 in the afternoon session of the Bay Oval Test. At the Tea break, Bangladesh had progressed to 70 for the loss of just one wicket, in arrears by 258.

The start of the afternoon session was always going to be a crucial one for the visitors, especially with the New Zealand pace bowlers having a new Kookaburra ball in their hands. Hasan Joy and Shadman, however, were able to negate the early threat. The duo showed some good defence, alongside essaying the occasional leg glance and pull shot.

There were a few close shaves for the duo, with Shadman almost chopping a delivery from Trent Boult onto the stumps. On the other hand, Hasan Joy edged a delivery from Tim Southee, only for the ball to race away through the slip cordon. Eventually, New Zealand found the elusive breakthrough when Neil Wagner dismissed Shadman. The opener could only chip a low full toss back to the bowler.

Despite losing his batting partner, Hasan Joy played with a sense of purpose and in the company of Najmul Shanto ensured the tourists wouldn't lose another wicket for the rest of the session. Meanwhile, New Zealand's bowlers perhaps tried too hard to find the breakthroughs and couldn't exactly find the rhythm. Wagner was the best bowler on show in the session. The experienced pace bowler didn't just try short of a length deliveries or bumpers but also found a hint of movement by pitching it up.

Bangladesh's impressive show on day 2 was set up by the bowlers as they bowled New Zealand out for 328 runs. New Zealand began the day ay 258 for 5 but it didn't take long for Shoriful Islam to remove Rachin Ravindra. At that juncture, Nicholls decided to play aggressively, collecting three boundaries off Ebadot Hossain. In the same over, he also brought up his fifty with a pull shot. Mominul Haque then decided to turn towards Mehidy Hasan. The Bangladesh skipper was rewarded for his move as the spinner prised out Kyle Jamieson. Mehidy also sent Tim Southee back to the hut.

The spinner continued to make an impression as he bagged his third scalp by dislodging Wagner. Initially, the appeal for caught behind was turned down but the visitors got it reversed via the review system. Nicholls was the last man dismissed as he fell to the part-timer Mominul, with Shadman taking a fine grab.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 70/1 (Hasan Joy 32*; Neil Wagner 1-9) trail New Zealand 328 (Devon Conway 122, Henry Nicholls 75; Shoriful Islam 3-69) by 258 runs.