New Zealand batters, led by their captain Tom Latham, hit back strongly as they pounded Bangladesh bowlers at will to reach 349-1 on day one of the second Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch today.
At stumps, Latham who is leading the side in absence of injured Kane Williamson, was batting on 186 with Devon Conway on 99, one run shy of his second consecutive and third Test century in fifth matches. Opener Will young scored 54 and gave the side a strong start alongside Latham after Bangladesh put New Zealand into batting.
They combined for a 148-run opening stand, much to the disappointment of the Bangladeshi bowlers who came motivated after their emphatic eight-wicket in the first Test.
That was New Zealand's first Test defeat against an Asian nation at home since 2010 and also stopped their 17-match unbeaten run at home in Test format. The eight-wicket win was Bangladesh's maiden Test victory against New Zealand in 16th matches and also their first on New Zealand soil across three formats in 33 matches.
The Tigers indeed came into the match with an aim to seal the historic series but that hope was severely shattered on day one.
Bangladesh hoped to bounce back once pacer Shoriful Islam had opener Will Young caught by Naim Sheikh on 54 after he struck five fours in his 114 -ball-knock.
Latham survived twice, overturning umpires' leg-before decision on review. He and Conway then put Bangladesh on sword to milk runs at will. Possibly the forecast of rain on the last two days of the Test forced them to go berserk from the words as they are eying to avoid a series defeat at any cost.
Latham clobbered 28 fours in a knock of 186 for which he so far faced 278 balls. Conway was more attacking, as he struck 10 fours and one six for his 148 ball-99.
Fast bowler Ebadot Hossain put an embarrassing performance after a history-making first Test in which he claimed 6-46 in second innings to rip through the New Zealand innings. Ebadot gave away 114 runs in his 21 overs.
Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, the other two pacers too couldn't utilize the early moisture of the wicket even though the later got a wicket.
Earlier Bangladesh forced to make two changes from their winnings squad with Naim Sheikh replacing injured opener Mahmudul Hasan who made 78 in the first innings of the first Test. Naim considered as a T20 specialist made a Test debut with this match.
Bangladesh also lost experienced Mushfiqur Rahim after he sustained a hamstring ahead of the match. Nurul Hasan Sohan replaced him.
After Mushfiqur's injury-forced withdrawal, this is the first time in 12 years Bangladesh played a Test match without their key four players-Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullha Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim.
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