Shakib’s triple strike makes it even

Shakib Al Hasan got three wickets off nine deliveries deep into the final session on the second day as Bangladesh came back strongly in the second Test against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval today.

The home side was reduced to 260-7 in response to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 289 before rain stopped play after 77 overs.

The champion Bangladesh all-rounder started a rush of wickets when he had Mitchell Santner trapped in front for 29. Santner reviewed the decision which was overruled by the third umpire. The home side reduced to 252-5.

It soon turned 256-7 when wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling dragged an attempted cut on to his stump for 1 and Colin de Grandhomme was clean bowled by a clever arm ball for a three-ball duck.

Santner put on 75 runs for the fifth wicket with Henry Nicholls, who was unbeaten on 56 when the day’s play was called off due to rain.

But Nicholls was lucky to be still there when umpire Nigel Llong ruled him not out despite replay showed he edged Taskin Ahmed behind the wicket when he was on 45. Bangladesh had exhausted both their reviews by that time. 

Earlier, there was no record-equaling century for Ross Taylor. The New Zealand batsman got out on 77 and his side were reduced to 177-4 just before Tea.

The right-hander, needing one more century to equal Black Caps great Martin Crowe’s 17 Test ton, suffered a soft dismissal. He clipped a flighted delivery from Mehedi Hasan straight to mid-wicket where the substitute fielder Taijul Islam took the catch. Umpire Nigel Llong was not sure whether it was a bump catch and he referred it to the third umpire and replays confirmed his dismissal.

Taylor got a life just before his dismissal when he was dropped at deep square leg when he was on 75.

Earlier, Taskin Ahmed broke the resolute century partnership for the third wicket when he had Tom Latham caught behind in the first over after the post-lunch drinks break. Latham, on 68, slashed the ball but only got an inside edge which carried to wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan. It ended the 106-run stand between the left-handed opener and Ross Taylor. Pace bowler Kamrul Islam Rabbi struck twice in his opening over to rattle New Zealand on the second day of the second Test at the Hagley Oval.

He struck with the second ball of his first over. Coming in from the Pavilion End in place of Taskin Ahmed, the right-arm pacer had Jeet Raval bowled for 16. The left-hander chopped a rising ball onto his stumps, putting an end to a 45-tun opening stand with Tom Latham. Kamrul then struck with the fourth ball of the same over when he had New Zealand captain Kane Williamson caught behind with a pitched up delivery.

The Black Caps’ captain came forward and edged the out-swinger to Nurul Hasan behind the wicket, reducing the Kiwis to 47 for two in their chase of Bangladesh’s first innings total of 289.

In that eventful over Kamul also almost drew Ross Taylor into a false shot. Taylor tentatively pushed on the on side and the ball fell just short at short mid-wicket, where Shakib Al Hasan took the ball off the first bounce.

The way Kamrul and Rubel bowled in tandem was a sight to behold in overcast conditions on a lively pitch. Both bowlers have all sorts of problem for Latham, and Taylor in particular, who was playing and missing against Rubel.

The pace bowler also hit Latham on the grille with a ferocious bouncer, which sent the back protection of the left-hander’s helmet to go flying. Rubel finished his first spell with 6-1-13-0. He was unlucky not to get a wicket after bowling so well.

The home team survived a barrage of hostile stuff from Kamrul and Rubel and went for a nervy lunch at 70-2 with Latham on 38 and Taylor looking very uncomfortable on 10.