A superb spell from all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan got Bangladesh right back into the game as the Blackcaps collapsed to miss out on a decent first innings lead. The day began with New Zealand starting their innings in pursuit of Bangladesh’s first innings score of 289. Openers Jeet Raval and Tom Latham got off to a sedate start and countered the new ball quite well.
However, the visitors struck back as Raval and skipper Kane Williamson were both dismissed in quick succession. Both were snared by the disciplined pace bowling of Kamrul Islam Rabbi, as the 25-year-old got two priceless wickets on a day that belonged to his side.
A century stand between Latham and the experienced Ross Taylor saw a special milestone being crossed. During his fluent knock of 77, Taylor went past 6000 Test career runs and became just the third New Zealand batsman, after former skippers Brendon McCullum and Stephen Fleming to do so.
Taskin Ahmed got rid of Latham as the latter missed out on a well-deserved century. Just as it seemed that New Zealand were on the way to recovery, tragedy struck in the form of a game turning spell by Shakib Al Hasan.
The all-rounder picked three wickets on the brink of stumps as New Zealand lost Mitchell Santner, BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme to Shakib. Watling and Grandhomme were castled as they seemed clueless against the guile of Shakib.
With Henry Nicholls currently unbeaten on 56 and Tim Southee for his company, the first hour on Sunday (Day 3) will be pretty crucial. New Zealand are currently placed in a delicate situation of 260-7, still 29 runs away from Bangladesh’s first innings score.