Image courtesy of: MSN

Iqbal missed out on scoring his fifth Test century

Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal came agonisingly close to scoring his fifth Test century before the heavens parted, leading to stumps being called early on day one of the second Test in Mirpur.

Iqbal was dismissed on 95, while Marshall Ayub and Mominul Haque were both removed just short of their half-centuries.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and chose to bat first.

However, that decision didn’t work out well for him as opening batsman Anamul Haque was caught out off the bowling of Trent Boult for just seven runs.

A 67-run partnership between Iqbal and Ayub helped settle things down until Ayub was cleaned bowled by Neil Wagner for 41 off 62 balls, which included six boundaries.

Bangladesh continued to pile on the runs as Iqbal and Mominul Haque registered a 76-run partnership before Haque was caught behind off the bowling of Corey Anderson for 47 off 59 deliveries, which included eight boundaries.

Iqbal was the next to go as Kane Williamson took a fantastic catch in the slip cordon to deny the opening batsman his century

Iqbal scored 95 off 153 balls, which included 17 boundaries.

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan failed to make a major contribution as he was given out lbw off the bowling of Ish Sodhi for 20.

Rahim was unbeaten on 14 when the rain came.

Despite taking an early tea break, the rain became harder and the umpires were forced to end play.

Wagner was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with two wickets, while Boult, Sodhi and Anderson all chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Bangladesh will resume their innings tomorrow at 09:30 local time or 03:30 GMT.