Tigers off to a promising start with bat

Bangladesh got off to a promising start to their first innings after bundling out New Zealand early on the second day of their first Test at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui today. 

The Tigers scored 70 for the loss of just one wicket in 31 overs at tea. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten on 32 and 12 runs respectively.  

Bangladesh had earlier on the day bundled out New Zealand for 328 in their first innings. After that, both Joy and Shadman Islam provided Bangladesh a decent start, amassing 43 runs for the opening stand. 

Even though there was a bit of off-pitch-movement still available for the Kiwi pacers, both the openers of Bangladesh managed to survive despite a few close calls.    

However, following the steady start, Bangladesh were jolted by the wicket of Shadman first ball after drinks in the second session.

Shadman gave a return catch to pacer Neil Wagner after failing to negotiate a low full-toss directed towards the left-handed batter's toes. The left-hander, who failed to judge the pace of the ball, got a leading edge and Wagner took a diving catch in his followthrough to dismiss the batter following a gritty 55-ball 22. 

Shadman, interestingly, seemed to be in more control out in the middle out of the two openers. His partner, Joy has been a bit shaky, poking at and missing deliveries often.

Joy could have even been dismissed had New Zealand players opted to review an LBW off Wagner's delivery. A ball that was moving back into the right-handed batter sharply, struck him on his pads, drawing a loud appeal from the Kiwi players only to be turned down by the umpire. The review later showed that Joy would have been out as the ball hit the leg stump.      

But Joy displayed patience and enough grit to keep on going as he started rebuilding the innings by stitching an unbeaten 27-run unbeaten stand with Shanto. The young right-handed batter, who is playing only his second Test, has smashed a total of three boundaries so far. 

Bangladesh off-sinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz celebrates taking the wicket of New Zealand's Tim Southee. Photo: AFP

Shadman, Joy watchful after Tigers impress with ball to bundle out NZ 

Bangladesh openers held their nerves in the three overs they faced before lunch on the second day of their first Test against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui today.  

Both Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy remained unbeaten on one and three runs respectively as the Tigers scored five for no loss in three overs at lunch. However, before that, off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz turned destroyer in chief as Bangladesh bundled out New Zealand for 328 just before lunch.

Miraz ended with figures of three for 86 in 32 overs that included nine maidens.

After pacer Shoriful Islam provided the early breakthrough, Miraz scalped three and skipper Mominul Haque picked his second wicket of the game as Bangladesh produced one of their best showings with the ball in Tests overseas.

Shoriful gave the Tigers their desired start when he set up Rachin Ravindra nicely, inducing a thick outside edge off the left-hander's bat to have him caught at slip cordon. 

However, it was Mehedi who broke the growing partnership of 32 runs between overnight batter Henry Nicholls and Kyle Jamieson. It was intelligent bowling from Mehedi as the off-spinner tempted Jamieson for going over the top with a tossed up delivery and when the right-hander obliged, he only found the hands of Shadman Islam at long on.   

Mehedi then removed tail-enders Tim Southee and Neil Wagner in successive deliveries. He had Southee caught at mid-wicket before inducing a fine edge off the bat of left-handed Wagner with a delivery that turned away sharply after pitching just in the line of off-stump. 

Nicholls, who had brought up his 12th Test fifty,  was the last man to fall when he tried to reverse sweep Mominul but only ended up giving a catch to the short third man. Nicholls departed after a 127-ball 75. 

Shoriful gives Tigers desired start on Day 2

Bangladesh got the start that they wanted as pacer Shoriful Islam removed Rachin Ravindra early on the second day of the first Test at the Mount Maunganui today. 

After 99 overs, New Zealand moved on to 295 for six with Kyle Jamieson and Henry Nicholls unbeaten on 5 and 58 respectiveley. 

Shoriful, who clearly has been the standout bowler for Bangladesh so far, set up Ravindra brilliantly to make the left-handed batter his third victim in this Test. Having the cherry move away and beat Ravindra's bat in the previous few deliveries, Shoriful had one just hold the line and go a bit straighter. 

That seemed to have done the trick, inducing a thick edge off the left-handed batter's willow. And Shadman Islam, who took a sharp catch yesterday to dismiss Ross Taylor off the same bowler's delivery, once again proved to be the safe pair of hands at the slip cordon as he made no mistake in taking a low catch. 

For Ravindra, however, the sorry tale against Bangladesh continues. He had made a dismal entrance into international cricket during a 3-2 loss at Bangladesh in a T20I series last year. 

Despite losing Ravindra early, overnight batter Henry Nicholls has been going on strong. The left-hander already brought up his fifty and is looking well set in the middle.  

Meanwhile, much like on the opening day, Bangladesh pacers once again started the day positively. Taskin Ahmed, who is unlucky to have not scalped a wicket yet in this game, complimented Shoriful brilliantly from the other end. 

Both Taskin and Shoriful have been asking questions of the Kiwi batters constantly with their tight line and length and the hint of swing that is still available on the surface despite losing the green covering it had yesterday. 

However, unlike the duo of Taskin and Shoriful, the Tigers' third seamer in Ebadot Hossain's bowling has left a lot to be desired as the right-armer kept on leaking runs with his wayward deliveries.