ZCZC
BSP-11
CRICKET-BD-NZ
Jayed helps Bangladesh back to parity after Tamim’s 74
DHAKA, March 10, 2019 (BSS)-Opener Tamim Iqbal struck another stroke-
filled 74, dealing with Neil Wagner’s vicious short balls imperiously while
pace bowler Abu Jayed claimed 2-18 as Bangladesh left the second Test in
parity at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Monday.
Despite Tamim’s stellar effort, Bangladesh was folded for 211 in its first
innings after weather finally permitted a game following a two successive
washed-out days.
However as the things looked gloomy for Bangladesh, Jayed swung the
ball admirably in a lush green pitch to haul two Kiwi wickets, that left the
hosts at struggling 38-2 before the rain forced to an end of the third day.
In the middle were two experienced batsmen Ross Taylor with 19 and skipper
Kane Williamson on 10 with the New Zealand trailing by 138 runs still.
Under the overcast condition, Bangladesh lost the crucial toss and being
sent to bat first as expectedly but Tamim Iqbal and Shadman Islam, the
opening pair of Bangladesh showed an unwavering resolve against the moving
deliveries of the Kiwi bowlers.
With luck and pluck, they combined for a 75-run partnership, by any means
a good start before Collin de Grandhome broke through with the wicket of
young Shadman who made 27.
And this was the only significant partnership that Bangladesh could build
up. Fast bowlers Neil Wagner and Trent Boult then used the short balls to
telling effect to spark a sensational collapse, giving the hosts an upper-
hand that they were seeking desperately.
Wagner finished with 4-28 while Boult returned figures of 3-38. Tim
Southee, de Grandhome and Matt Henry picked up one wicket apiece.
Wagner had Mominul (15) caught by wicket-keeper BJ Watling to force the
batsman continue his horror series and later got the better of Mohammad
Mithun (3) with another well-directed short delivery.
Amid the tumbling of wicket, Tamim played his shots at will, running amok
with the Kiwi bowlers before Wagner finally was able to force him cramp for
room to play his shots.
Tamim’s 114 with ball-74 was laced with 10 boundaries and his dismissal
left the side 134-4.
With Soumya Sarkar and stand-in skipper Mahmudullah Riyad were still to
come, there was hope for Bangladesh.
Soumya began superbly, smoking two fours and six and looked like he
started the inning from where he ended in Hamilton. But he too surrendered
meekly against a short delivery and this time it was Henry who left Soumya
clueless after he scored 24 ball-20.
Wagner dashed Bangladesh’s hope to take out Mahmudullah for 13 after which
Liton Das gave the side a ray of hope, playing some nice shots around the
wicket. However Southee found his edge with a full length delivery to bring
an end to his stroke-filled 33 runs knock.
Boult who operated tireless so far then reaped his reward with cleaning up
the tail.
With paltry total on the board, the day looked to be dark for Bangladesh
like the Wellington’s gloomy sky but Jayed gave them something to cheer.
Picking up openers Jeet Ravel and Tom Latham in his first spell, Jayed left
Kiwi in precarious 8-2 before Williamson and Taylor resisted and took the
side to 38-2.
Bangladesh bowlers looked pumped up but the rain brought a premature end
to the day, halting a finish that the visitors expected.
BSS/SMP/SA/ 1235 HRS