Patel six-for dismisses Bangladesh for 144, set 137-run target for NZ

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel claimed a 6-57 as Bangladesh’s aspiration to claim a first ever Test series victory against New Zealand got a huge setback.

In the face of Patel’s disciplined bowling coupled with their wretched batting show led Bangladesh’s downfall as they were bundled out for just 144 in their second innings, setting a 137-run target for New Zealand to win the game.

New Zealand openers Tom Latham (2) and Devon Conway (1) survived a tricky three over before lunch on Day 4 to reach 4-0.

Even though the wicket still looked difficult, the small target would give New Zealand ample confidence to level the series.

Patel’s decisive bowling was complemented by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner’s 3-51.

Zakir Hasan battled lonely for Bangladesh in the second innings with 59 off 86, hitting six fours and one six.

Resuming at 38-2, Bangladesh started promisingly with Zakir Hasan hitting skipper Tim Southee a brace of boundaries in the second over of the day.

Patel got into act, trapping Mominul Haque leg-before for 15, ending a 33-run partnership between him and Zakir, which happened to be Bangladesh’s best partnership in the second innings.

Bangladesh then collapsed and lost the rest of the seven wickets for 73 runs, bolstering New Zealand’s chance to equalize a series on a pitch which favoured the hosts more.

Santner dealt a double blow, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim (9) and Shahadat Hossain (4) in his consecutive two overs, leaving Bangladesh 55-8.

Mushfiqur’s hesitation to play or leave the quicker delivery of Santner caused his dismissal, frustrating a good number of crowd in ground.

With Bangladesh in a tricky situation, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3) played a rash shot against Patel to throw his wicket to further leave the side in trouble. Nurul Hasan however got a duck as he was trapped leg-before.

Amid the wickets tumbling, Zakir played his shots confidently but lacked support from the other end.

He pushed a flighted delivery of Patel to cover for a single to raise his third test fifty off 79 balls and then slog-swept Santner for the lone six of Bangladesh’s innings over mid-wicket.

However, soon after his attempted sweep against Patel brought his dismissal as the ninth batter out, giving the bowler his fourth five-for.

Patel then had Shoriful Islam stumped to wrap up Bangladesh’s innings.
Bangladesh won the first Test by 150 runs. (BSS)