Bangladesh are in a good position in the first Test match against New Zealand at the end of day two. Bangladesh require 154 runs to surpass New Zealand’s first-innings total, and they still have eight wickets in hand. Bangladesh will not lose by an innings in this match, which is a notable achievement in only two days. Bangladesh has displayed a few more encouraging signs in this series-opening Test. Let’s take a look at the current scenario of the NZ vs BAN 1st Test 2021.
Match Scenario: New Zealand vs Bangladesh 1st Test 2021
Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque chose to bat first in the first session to take advantage of the early moisture. Pacers bowled superbly in the very first session of the match and dominated the contest for the first two days. The current scenario of the NZ vs BAN 1st Test 2021 is discussed in this article.
New Zealand’s First Innings
New Zealand were asked to bat first, and they were all out for 328 runs in the first session of day 2. Will Young and Devon Conway put on a 138-run partnership for the second wicket after losing Captain Tom Latham in the fourth over of the innings.
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They were cautious at the start of the innings and appeared to be in great shape in the middle. Bangladesh needed a wicket urgently to break the partnership. Finally, they made a breakthrough in the second session. Will Young (52) was run out by Najmul Hossain in the 49th over of the contest. On the other hand, Devon Conway (122) was dismissed after completing his century in the third session. Bangladesh’s captain Mominul Haque got his wicket. New Zealand had a total of 258/5 at the end of day 1.
Bangladesh off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz showed a lot of aggression in the opening session of day 2. He took three wickets and assisted Bangladesh in bowling out New Zealand in the opening session. On the other hand, Shoriful Islam was Bangladesh’s most inspirational bowler in the first innings. He took three wickets for 69 runs in 26 overs.
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Bangladesh’s Ongoing First Innings
Bangladesh needed to get off to a solid start in order to threaten New Zealand’s first innings total. They got off to a good start owing to a 43-run first-wicket partnership between Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan. Wagner dismissed Shadman Islam (22) in the 19th over of the innings. However, a 104-run partnership between Mahmudul Hasan (70*) and Najmul Hossain (64) in the first innings has provided Bangladesh with a good foundation. Najmul was a little more aggressive and confident than his partner in the middle, but he was finally dismissed by Wagner.
After Najmul’s departure, opener Mahmudul Hasan and Captain Mominul Haque (8*) have put up an undefeated 28-run stand. Bangladesh ended day two with 175/2, 153 runs behind New Zealand’s first innings total.
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Bangladesh should aim to bat for the entire third day in order to maintain its dominance in the game. Therefore, Bangladesh will have to put in a lot of effort in the remaining days of the contest.
Verdict
Bangladesh have yet to win a match in New Zealand and beating them will be extremely difficult for the current Tigers’ Test side in the ongoing series. Bangladesh are now in a strong position in the ongoing NZ vs BAN 1st Test 2021, but there is no certainty that they would win or tie. Bangladesh have a habit of losing control of a contest after a good start. Therefore, Bangladesh’s aim will be to push the match to the fifth day and keep the players’ performances all throughout the contest.
Source: United News of Bangladesh