Internet Desk: Light rain and buffeting northerly winds played havoc with the first day of New Zealand’s opening test against Bangladesh at the Basin Reserve on Thursday.
Only three abbreviated periods of play were possible, during which time Bangladesh made a good fist of having been sent in to bat on a green, seam-friendly pitch to reach 154 for three.
In 53 minutes before lunch, Bangladesh got to 39 for one, losing opener Imrul Kayes for one, hooking Tim Southee rashly straight to long on.
Then in a 90-minute block after the early lunch interval, they added a further 80 for the loss of assertive opener Tamim Iqbal.
Having raced to 56 off 49 balls, Tamim went lbw, on a DRS referral, to left-armer Trent Boult.
Tamim, strong square of the wicket and driving handsomely, completed his fourth test 50 in six innings in New Zealand and his 20th in all tests.
Little lefthander Mominul Haque and Mahudullah shut off any New Zealand hopes of a breakthrough with a strong stand of 80 for the third wicket before Mahmudullah departed, driving at a widish ball from Neil Wagner to be caught behind for 26.
Things would have been grimmer for the tourists had Mitchell Santner not spilled a sharp but straightforward catch off Shakib al Hasan on four from Wagner’s bowling shortly before bad light brought an end to the day.
The last period of 11.2 overs produced 35 runs, but importantly for Bangladesh also a lost wicket.
Mominul looked organised and patient, and unveiled a couple of terrific drives, and flicked Southee for six to fine leg just before play stopped again. He starts tomorrow on 64, which includes 10 fours and a six, with Shakib on five. Mominul is closing in on a third century against New Zealand. His test average against the hosts stands at a whopping 220.
Bangladesh have lost both previous tests at the Basin, in 2001 and 2008 by an innings.
Southee, Boult and Wagner had one wicket apiece.