Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Haque’s century gave Bangladesh a 114-run lead
Bangladesh have struck back to even things out on the fourth day of the second Test against New Zealand in Mirpur behind batsman Mominul Haque’s unbeaten century.
Haque was well supported by opening batsman Tamim Iqbal, who scored a brilliant half-century.
Starting the day on 419/8, New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who recorded his maiden half-century on day three, only managed to add three runs onto his overnight score of 55 before he was run out by Mominul Haque.
Sodhi’s knock of 58 came off 75 balls and included seven boundaries.
Bangladesh left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak finished things off by dismissing Trent Boult for only four runs.
Wicketkeeper BJ Watling was left stranded on 70 off 179 deliveries, which included four boundaries, as New Zealand were bowled out for 437, giving them a lead of 155.
Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of Bangladesh’s bowlers with his 10th five-wicket haul, while Razzak snapped up two wickets and debutant Al-Amin Hossain and Nasir Hossain both chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Trailing by 155, Bangladesh got off to a rough start as opening batsman Anamul Haque was caught out off the bowling of Neil Wagner for 22.
Marshall Ayub failed to make a major contribution as he too was caught out off the bowling of Wagner.
Just as Bangladesh looked to be in danger of collapsing, Iqbal and Mominul Haque put together a 157-run partnership, during which Iqbal brought up his half-century before being caught out off the bowling of Kane Williamson.
Iqbal’s innings of 70 came off 218 balls and included four boundaries.
The 157-run stand between Iqbal and Mominul Haque is Bangladesh’s new record for a third wicket partnership.
Mominul Haque soon went on to register his second Test century as he and Al Hasan amassed an unbeaten 57-run partnership before stumps was called.
Mominul Haque finished on 126 off 225 balls, which included 16 boundaries, while Al Hasan remained undefeated on 32 off 53 deliveries, which included five boundaries.
Wagner was the most successful New Zealand bowler with two wickets, while Williamson picked up one.
Bangladesh ended the day on 269/3, which puts them 114 runs in front of New Zealand.
Bangladesh will resume their innings tomorrow at 09:00 local time or 03:00 GMT.