Shakib’s 217, Mushfiqur’s 159 set BD’s highest Test partnership figure 359
Dhaka, Jan 13 – Bangladesh raised the 1st innings collection to 542 for 7 wickets at stumps on the second day in the 1st Test against New Zealand, including the highest Test partnership figure of 359 for the visitors against any opponent, resuming the innings on Friday at Basin Reserve in Wellington with overnight score of 154 for 3.Starting the day with overnight score of 5 runs, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan completed his maiden Test double centaury mission scoring 217 and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim hammered a century of 159 runs to boost the innings collection as well as to set the highest Test partnership figure in 82.2 overs in the 5th wicket.
Number seven batsman Sabbir Rahman was on batting scoring 10 runs when the bails were drawn for the 2nd day.
Shakib and Mushfiqur set the highest Test partnership figure leapfrogging the previous highest one of 312 runs between Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes, formed against Pakistan in April 2015 in Khulna. Shakib-Mushfiqur set their figure in the in the 5th wicket while Tamim-Kayes in the opening stand.
After Mominul Haque’s departure at 160/4 in 43.3 overs, the 5th pair started their composures which ended at 519/5 in 125.5 overs as Mushfiqur was caught by Bradley-John Watling off Trent Boult bowling, firing 23 boundaries and one over boundary off 260 balls.
Shkib was bowled out by Neil Wagner leaving team total at 536/6 in 131.5 overs. He hammered a century against the Kiwis after seven years following his 1st one of 100 runs was in February 2010 at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
On the way to set the partnership figure, both Shakib and Mushfique hammered their 4th Test century each.
On Friday, Mominul Haque failed to add any more runs with his overnight score of 64 runs.
Neil Wagner captured three wickets for 124 runs while Trent Boult and Tim Southee took two wickets each for 121 and 144 runs respectively for New Zealand.
The day’s collection (542/7 in 136 overs) is the Tigers’ 2nd highest innings collection in an away Test, while the top figure 638/10 in 196 overs recorded against Sri Lanka in March 2013 at Galle International Stadium where Mushfiqur Rahim (200), Mohammad Ashraful (190) and Nasir Hossain (100) dazzled with centuries.
With the day’s double hundred off 276-balls, including 31 boundaries, Shakib became the Bangladesh’s highest scorer in a Test innings breaking previous one of 206 runs by Tamim Iqbal.
Making his Test debut against India in May 2007 in Chittagong, Shakib played so far 45 Tests to hit four centuries and 19 half centuries on the way to score 3146 at average 41.39 runs.
Mushfiqur made his Test debut against England in May 2005 at Lord’s and played 51 matches to score 2909 at average 33.43 runs, including four centuries and 15 half centuries.
Brief score
Bangladesh 1st innings: 542/7 in 136 overs at stumps (overnight 154/3 in 40.2 overs); Shakib Al Hasan 217, Mushfiqur Rahim 159, Mominul Haque 64, Tamim Iqbal 56, Sabbir Rahman batting 10, Neil Wagner 3/124, Trent Boult 2/121, Tim Southee 2/144. – UNB
