Shanto’s ton powers Tigers to ride on driving seat

Sports Reporter :
Najmul Hossain Shanto’s century powered the Tigers to ride on the driving seat scoring 212 for the loss of three wickets against New Zealand on the third day of the first Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Shanto remained unbeaten with 104 runs.

He hit 10 fours in his 193-ball innings. Captain of Bangladesh Cricket team Shanto reached his fifth Test hundred-run landmark using 192 deliveries with nine fours.

Bangladesh led by 205 runs.

Earlier, New Zealand piled up 317 in the first innings on the third day.

Electing to bat first, Bangladesh scored 310 in the first innings on the second day (Wednesday).

Bangladesh had an unhappy start as opener Zakir Hasan (17) was trapped leg before wicket by Ajaz Patel when the hosts’ score was 23.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy, the other opener (8) was unfortunately run out by Tim Southee when the home side’s total was 26 for the loss of two wickets.

One-down Najmul Hossain Shanto and second-down Mominul Haque repaired the damage contributing together 90 runs for the third wicket partnership before Mominul Haque was run out by a joint effort of Henry Nicholls and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell when the hosts’ score was 116 for the loss of three wickets.

Mominul Haque hit a polished 40. His 68-ball innings had four fours.

After Mominul’s dismissal, Shanto and third-down Mushfiqur Rahim built another worthy partnership adding together 96 runs in the unbroken four-wicket stand before the bails were drawn for the third day.

Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 43. He hit five fours in his 71-ball innings.

Ajaz Patel got one wicket conceding 94 runs.

Earlier, New Zealand resumed their first innings with the overnight score of 266 for the loss of eight wickets.

Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee resumed their first innings with the overnight score of seven and one run respectively.

Jamieson and Southee put on together 50 runs in the ninth wicket stand before Jamieson (23) was trapped leg before wicket by Mominul Haque when the Kiwis’ total was 316 for the loss of nine wickets.

After Jamieson’s departure, Tim Southee could not stay at the crease for a long period as he was bowled out by Mominul Haque when the tourists’ innings came to an end.

Southee made 35 from 62 deliveries featuring three fours.

Mominul Haque was the day’s most successful bowler with three wickets for four runs.