Dhaka, Feb 28 (UNB) — Visiting Tigers failed to post a handsome total on the scoreboard despite Timam Iqbal’s fine century in the first innings of the first Test of three-match series against New Zealand at Hamilton on Thursday.
Bangladesh was bowled out for 234/10 in 59.2 overs where Tamim struck 126 off 128 but the others batsmen managed only 108 runs. They have lost the last nine wickets in 122 runs.
The wicket of Hamilton looked slightly better for the batsmen but Bangladesh disappointed to take advantage of the wicket. Despite not having much help from the wicket, left-arm Kiwi pacer Neil Wagner registered a five-wicket haul. Most of his wickets were notched by short deliveries and Bangladesh have proved again their fragile technic against the short balls.
Earlier in the morning, New Zealand won the toss and decided to put Bangladesh on bat first. The Tigers responded with a wonderful approach as they accumulated 50-runs partnerships in the first wicket stand in 10 overs.
Tamim took the advantage of the wicket in the very second over of the innings hitting two boundaries off Tim Southee. That was enough to prove the nature of the wicket.
The confident start of the Tigers came to the end when Trent Boult struck for the first time. He scalped the wicket of Shadman Islam. The 23-year-old opener went to flick the full delivery but missed it, and he was bowled for 24.
Tamim continued to show his capabilities against the quality pace attack in spite of losing his partner. Tamim and Mominul Haque brought up another half-century stand in the second wicket.
Bangladesh lost the second wicket when Niel Wagner struck to take the wicket of Mominul. The left-handed top-order batsman failed to grab the chance of bringing the team to a comfortable zone in spite of having a good surface to bat on.
Bangladesh were 122/2 at lunch of the day one of the first Test. Tamim was unbeaten for 86 at the time. He completed his ninth Test ton which was first against New Zealand after the lunch. He was reprived by Colin de Grandhomme who missed an easy catch by his own ball when Tamim was at 65. The left-handed Bangladesh stalwart utilized the chance in a better way.
After the dismissal of Mominul, Mohammad Mithun and Soumya Sarkar departed quickly. While Mithun fell prey to a short ball for eight by Wagner, Soumya dismissed for one by Southee.
Tamim was strong enough to launch a counter-attack, but failed to continue his run. He fell for 128 off 126 balls. Colin de Grandhomme scalped the wicket of Tamim. He finished at 128 with 21 fours and one six to his name.
Mahmudullah (22) and Liton Das (29) started well but failed to maintain the run. On the other hand, the Kiwi bowlers kept taking the wickets to restrict the Tigers for 234.
Along the way, BJ Watling, the wicketkeeper-batsman of New Zealand, completed his 200th dismissal while taking an upper steer of Abu Jayed Rahi.
Eventually, Bangladesh finished scoring 234 in the first innings of Hamilton Test. They failed to stretch their good start to the end of the innings.
While Wagner took five wickets for 47 runs, Southee bagged three for 76. Along with them, Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme took one each for the hosts.
