Shanto puts BAN on top in 1st Test against NZ
Najmul Hossain Shanto led the side from the front and in doing so became the first Bangladeshi to hit a century on captaincy debut as the home side took the stranglehold of the two-match series opening cricket Test against New Zealand at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today (30 Nov, 2023).
He was not out on 104 at stumps on third day, guiding Bangladesh to 212-3 and taking a 205-run lead on a spin-favourable track. Mushfiqur Rahim was in the crease with 43 after sharing 96-run with Shanto for the undefeated fourth wicket.
New Zealand were bowled out for 317, in reply to Bangladesh's 310 all out in the first innings.
The century was also his third in the last four innings, after tons in both innings against Afghanistan in Bangladesh's previous Test.
Shanto in fact was instrumental in helping the side take the upper-hand after Bangladesh lost two openers in quick succession that left them to 26-2.
Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel (1-94) got the better of Zakir Hasan for the second time in the match, with a delivery that spun sharply to rap him in front of leg-stump. Zakir who made 17 didn't even bother to review the decision.
Mahmudul Hasan who top-scored for Bangladesh with 86 in the first innings, was run out in unluckiest manner as a drive from Shanto touched the bowler Tim Southee's palm on the followthrough to hit his stump.
The two wickets in two overs brought back the Black Caps in the contest but Shanto and Mominul added 90 runs for the third wicket to give Bangladesh the edge.
Mominul survived a leg-before shout as New Zealand reviewed in vain but appeared to be confident against his favourite opponent against whom he averaged a whopping 55.61
A run out dismissal cut short his stay in the crease as he was dismissed on 40 after hitting four boundaries from 68 balls.
Shanto and Mushfiqur denied New Zealand any wicket, playing with caution and aggression that served them.
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