Cricket News New Zealand tour of Bangladesh, 2023

Cricket News New Zealand tour of Bangladesh, 2023

Set a target of 332, New Zealand slipped to 37/3 as hosts Bangladesh strengthened their grip in the opening Test in the afternoon session in Sylhet. After being bowled out for 338 in their second innings, the home side picked up early wickets after spinners Mehdi Hasan Miraj and Taijul Islam and another cheap dismissal by Tom Latham.

Bangladesh got off to an inspired start as Shariful Islam stretched Latham's lean patch for a six in the first over off Nurul Hasan. The moment of the match was perhaps the next wicket as Taijul hit one past Kane Williamson's inside edge and, despite the review, had to return to the pavilion in shock as the ball crashed into the leg stump. Henry Nicholls was up front, slog-sweeping Naeem Hasan off Mehdi.

New Zealand, still more than 300 short of their target, were already three down and Bangladesh took an optimistic lbw review against Darryl Mitchell, which had to be overturned as the bat hit the gloves before hitting the pads. The visitors went into the T20I at 37-3, still with just seven wickets to climb.

Earlier, Bangladesh scored 30 runs in all 40 balls after lunch and lost three wickets. However, it gave New Zealand enough to set a target of 332 runs in their final innings and get on board for the World Test Championship 2025.

Naeem is caught by close-in fielder Latham off Ish Sodhir. Taijul then went for a duck, was lured to flight and delivered one off Ajaz Patel to Henry Nicholls at mid-on. Azaz had another close call, as the ball missed Mehdi's off-stump and outside edge. Mehdi eventually reached one of the fanciest half-centuries of his career, but Azaz eventually stumped Shariful to wrap up the innings.

Brief Scores:New Zealand 317 and 37-3(Devon Conway 18*, Taijul Islam 1-8) need 295 to win against Bangladesh 310 and 338(Najmul Hasan Shanto 105, Mushfiqur Rahim 67, Ajaz Patel 4-148)