Dhaka – A score of almost 300 runs by the Kiwis in close to a whole days play was in stark contrast to how the Bangladeshi batsmen batted against what can be easily said as a far superior and potent bowling side.Former national opener Ishtiaque Ahmed while giving his view to BSS thought that though Bangladesh bowlers might not have looked lethal today but they manage to restrict the hosts below 300 runs on a placid track is surely quite commendable. Had they been little better with their catching, things could have been different. There is absolutely no doubt that Bangladesh has been the superior of the two sides and what is more praiseworthy is that Mushfique Rahim’s side is playing a test match away from home after more than two years.Playing three consecutive test matches including the two in Bangladesh against England is a clear indication of its progress in test cricket and an aspect that will surely not go unnoticed by the other test playing nations.What made Mushfiqur Rahim decide to declare their innings 5 runs short of a 600 run total is anybody’s guess with the young Shabbir Rahman playing an unbeaten innings of 54 runs with an intention of putting pressure to grab early wickets, but Kiwis batters made sure their flight toward safety goes unhindered so far.Tom Lathams unbeaten hundred was the only standout innings amongst the Kiwis batsmen as an inexperienced and a virtually untested pace attack held its own against a batting side known to be powerful in its own backyard.Kamrul Islam Rabbi with his medium pacers accounted for the two Kiwis wickets to fall and should hope to continue in the same vein in the fourth day in which of course the spinners are likely to play a key role.Mushfiqur Rahim’s deputy Tamim Iqbal who is leading side as his captains in in the pavilion with thumb and finger injury, will surely look to make better use of the spinners at his disposal.Tamim will hope that Sakib Al Hasan his most trusted ally produces his wicket taking ways to take the initiative from its opponents at the Basin Reserve while if young spin prodigy Mehedi Miraj can finds his line and length which helped him to destroy England at his own backyard, situation might change abruptly in Tigers’ favour.This was the second highest total by Bangladesh in Tests when they decided to declare their first-innings score of 595 for 8. They had made 638 against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2012-13.This was also second time when five Bangladesh batsmen got fifty-plus scores in a Test innings. The previous one was against West Indies in Mirpur in 2012-13. Sabbir Rahman – who was not out on 10 overnight – was the fifth Bangladesh batsman to score fifty or more in their first innings in Wellington.BSS
