Bangladesh- New Zealand Series
Bangladesh score 310 for nine wickets at day 1 stumps
|| CF DESK ||
Off-spinner Glenn Phillips impressed with figures of 4-53 as New Zealand restricted Bangladesh to 310-9 before bad light brought an early end to the opening day of the first Test in Sylhet on Tuesday.
Phillips, chosen ahead of Rachin Ravindra, played a pivotal role in claiming crucial wickets after opener Mahmudul Hasan's resilient 86 off 166 balls provided Bangladesh with a solid platform.
Despite the hosts opting to bat first after winning the toss, New Zealand's bowlers, including Ajaz Patel (2-76) and Kyle Jamieson (2-52), managed to make crucial breakthroughs at important junctures.
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and former captain Mominul Haque contributed 37 runs each, forming partnerships of 53 and 88 runs with Mahmudul for the second and third wickets, respectively, before being dismissed.
Phillips took the maiden Test wicket of Najmul in the morning session with a well-judged catch by Kane Williamson at mid-on.
Ish Sodhi and Phillips further halted Bangladesh's progress just before the tea break with key wickets, including Mahmudul, who played a determined innings with 11 boundaries.
Mominul fell to Phillips within five balls of Mahmudul's dismissal, giving a catch to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.
Experienced Mushfiqur Rahim was caught by Patel for 12, and Jamieson dismissed Mehidy Hasan for 20, with Daryl Mitchell taking the catch at slip.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan added quick boundaries before Phillips struck again, claiming the wicket of debutant Shahadat Hossain, who made 24.
Phillips ended Nurul's innings at 29, and Jamieson's second wicket of the day saw Bangladesh nine down with the dismissal of Nayeem Hasan.
The day ended with Taijul Islam at eight not out and Shoriful Islam at 13 not out.
The two-match series marks the commencement of a new cycle for the World Test Championship for both teams.