Shanto, Mominul take Bangladesh into 104-run lead at tea

Bangladesh recovered from an early wobble to extend their lead to 104 against New Zealand at tea on the day three of the first cricket Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was batting on 48 with Mominul Haque on 38 as Bangladesh reached 111-2 at the second interval of the day.
New Zealand were bowled out for 317, in reply to Bangladesh’s 310 all out in the first innings.

Shanto and Mominul added 85 runs for the unbeaten third wicket stand after Bangladesh lost two wickets in quick succession in post lunch session.

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel spun one sharply to trap Zakir Hasan leg-before after he scored 17 off 30 with two boundaries.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy, the top-scorer for Bangladesh with 86, looked steady on the crease but his innings came to an end due to an unfortunate run out, leaving Bangladesh at 26-2.

Joy before being dismissed played 46 balls for his 8.

Shanto played in as usual aggressive fashion to dominate the New Zealand spinners. But with the pitch assisting spinners, he needed to change the gear which he did smartly to keep the scoreboard moving. He so far played 92 balls to hit five fours in his innings.

Mominul was also solid but had no reservation to go after when the bowlers missed the line and length. He struck four fours in a knock for which he played 60 balls.

Earlier, Resuming the day on 268-8, New Zealand captain Tim Southee and Kyle Jameison defied the Bangladeshi spinners astutely, to give the side a slender 7-run lead.

Southee played the key role, scoring 35 off 62 with three fours while Jamieson added 23 off 70.

With the main bowlers of the team failing to make any breakthrough, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto sought the assistance of Mominul Haque’s golden arm.

And it paid off with Mominul wrapping up New Zealand innings, dealing a double blow.

He trapped Jamieson leg-before to end 52-run ninth wicket partnership and four balls later got the better of Southee.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took four wickets on Wednesday, including top scorer Kane Williamson for 104, but didn’t add to his haul on Day 3 and returned figures of 4-109 from 39 overs. (BSS)