New Zealand ripped through Bangladesh’s top order towards the end of the fourth day
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Bangladesh found themselves in the lead going into the second innings, but they were unable to take full advantage of it as New Zealand fought back with three quick wickets to set up an intriguing final day in Wellington.
Starting off the day on 292/3, New Zealand opener Tom Latham and batsman Henry Nicholls converted their 87-run partnership into a 142-run stand, during which Latham surpassed the 150-run mark and Nicholls brought up his half-century.
With things getting out of hand for Bangladesh, veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan provided the breakthrough his side desperately needed as he dismissed Nicholls for 53, which came off 135 balls and included five boundaries.
Nicholls scored his third Test fifty
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Colin de Grandhomme fell shortly after for 14, while Latham went on to make a career-best 177 off 329 deliveries, which included 18 boundaries and a six, before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Al Hasan.
Latham made his highest score in Test cricket
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Wicketkeeper BJ Watling and Mitchell Santner stabilised the innings with a 73-run partnership before Watling was removed by Mahmudullah just one agonising run short of his fifty.
Tim Southee and Neil Wagner made one and 18 respectively, while Santner scored 73 off 103 balls, which included six boundaries and three sixes, before New Zealand were bowled out for 539, which gave Bangladesh a 56-run lead.
Santner made his second Test fifty
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Kamrul Islam Rabbi was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Al Hasan, Mahmudullah and debutant Subashis Roy snapped up two wickets apiece. Taskin Ahmed, who is also playing in his first Test match, chipped in with one.
With a 56-run lead in hand, Bangladesh got off to a solid start before Imrul Kayes retired hurt on 24 after sustaining a hip injury and being stretchered off the pitch.
To make things worse, Tamim Iqbal was clean bowled by Santner in the next over before Mahmudullah was caught behind off the bowling of Wagner for just five runs.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz was sent in as the nightwatchman, but failed to see out the rest of the day as he was run out by Santner for one run.
As soon as Mehedi was out, stumps was called, which left Mominul Haque unbeaten on 10 off 13 balls, which included one boundary.
Santner and Wagner claimed one wicket each.
Bangladesh ended day four on 66/3 and will continue batting 30 minutes earlier on Monday at 10:00 local time or 21:00 GMT (the previous day).