Sports Reporter :
A terrific century by Tamim Iqbal helped Bangladesh to make 234 in the first innings against New Zealand on the first day of the first Test match at Hamilton in New Zealand on Thursday.
In reply, New Zealand were at the stumps at 86 for the loss of none.
Bangladesh have now 148-run lead in the first innings.
Tamim Iqbal hit a marvelous 126. His 128-ball innings was studded with 21 fours and a sixer. Tamim fulfilled his ninth Test hundred using exact 100 balls with 18 fours.
Bangladesh made a good start as openers Tamim Iqbal and Shadman Islam put on together 57 runs in the opening stand before Shadman (24) was clean bowled out by Trent Boult.
After Shadman’s dismissal, Tamim and Mominul Haque contributed together 64 runs before Mominul (12) was caught behind by wicketkeeper BJ Watling off Neil Wagner when Bangladesh’s score was 121 for the loss of two wickets.
After Mominul’s departure, Mohammad Mithun came at the crease but he (8) was caught at the mid-wicket by Tom Latham off Wagner when the tourists’ total was 147 for the loss of three wickets.
Third-down Soumya Sarkar arrived at the crease but he could stay there for a short period as he (1) was caught behind by Watling off Tim Southee when the visitors’ score was 149 for the loss of four wickets.
Then Tamim and Mahmudullah Riyad built another notable partnership. They put on together 31 runs before Tamim was caught at the gully by Kane Williamson off Colin de Grandhomme when Bangladesh’s total was 180 for the loss of five wickets.
Later, Bangladesh batsmen failed to make any notable partnership.
Liton Das shone with willow making 29 from 58 balls. He hit four fours before he was caught at the fine-leg by Boult off Wagner when Bangladesh’s innings came to an end.
Wagner and Tim Southee played the key role in wrecking Bangladesh’s innings.
Wagner bowled extremely well and finished his superb spell as 16.2-4-47-5.
Southee grabbed three wickets at the cost of 76 runs.
Besides, Grandhomme and Boult took one wicket each for 39 and 62 runs respectively.
Later, Jeet Raval remained unbeaten with 51, while Tom Latham remained unbeaten with 35.
Raval hit eight fours in his 89-ball innings. Raval reached his fifty-run landmark using 82 balls. It was his eighth Test half-century.
Latham hit four fours and a sixer in his 79-ball knock.
