Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, Wellington Test at Basin Reserve

Day 1: Bangladesh 154/3 (Mominul Haque 64*, Tamim Iqbal 56, Mahmudullah 26 in 40.2 Overs).

The first day of rain interrupted Wellington test belonged to Bangladesh at 154/3 when stumps were drawn for bad light. For repeated rain interruptions, only 40.2 of the allotted 90 overs could be bowled. It could be rosier still had Mahmudullah not lose concentration driving lose to a wide delivery after playing sensibly. Shakib joined classy Mominul remaining unbeaten on high quality 64-run.

Day two promises sunshine and drier wicket. Bangladesh after getting whitewashed in both ODI and T20 series showed great resolve and determination proving more competitive.

Bangladesh had to rest their ace pace bowler Mustafiz from the test for injury concerns though this pitch could have ideally suited his type of bowling. Two pacers -- Taskin and Subashis -- were handed over test debut. Another relatively new pacer, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, was preferred over the only experienced pacer Rubel. Perhaps experienced bowling coach West Indian maestro Country Walsh felt it wise to go with the three tall pacers.

How the rookies adjust with pace and bounce and cope with the strong wind is to be seen when Bangladesh would bowl. Playing Mehedi Miraz preferring over Taijul is the right decision. The bouncy nature of the wicket is expected to assist his straighter deliveries. Otherwise, there was no surprise in the selection. 

Soumya must wait. Sabbir at seven is a better batsman. If Kayes does not bat responsibly in the second innings Soumya may partner Tamim in the second test.

When New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson winning the toss put Bangladesh into bat on a green top grassy wicket under rain threatening dark cloud cover, there was popular belief that quality pace attack of the Kiwis will crash Bangladesh batting into pulp. The wind was nothing short of gale blowing many things. Bangladesh disproved everything. Flamboyant Tamim unleashed his quality counterattack on Kiwi bowlers cutting, pulling and square driving.

Trent Boult was coming with the wind and Tim Southee was moving into it. Tamim was severe on Boult. Southee was bowling on tight channel. He managed to bounce out Imrul Kayes attempting hooking his rising short delivery before setting his eye in. That remained the only success till Kiwi bowlers got some respite from Tamim blitz with first of the several rain interruptions. Little bird Mominul after initial nervous moments started setting his roots.

Tamim continued in the same vein after resumption. He dominated so exclusively that in a team score of 60-run his contribution was 56. He struck 11 power packed boundaries unsettling Kiwi bowlers. A quality inswinging delivery of Boult finally trapped him in front. Desperate Williamson used his second review to successfully remove the danger man. 

Mahmudullah joined Mominul. The pair mixed caution with aggression. They settled through smartly rotating strikes. Mominul playing his first match of the tour took a while to find his tune. But once settled he played some exquisite strokes. He was so sublime that one TV commentator found the shadow of great West Indian Alvin Kallicharan in him.

Mominul has a special liking for Kiwi bowling attack. He has already scored two centuries against them. He looks set for another big score. Rain interrupted for several hours again. On resumption, the partnership of Mahmudullah and Mominul was mortaring along till Mahmudullah lost his patience. The best bowler of the day Neil Wagner could induce him trying adventurous stroke on a ball leaving him outside off stump. Wattling took a good catch. The pair put together 85 precious runs. Shakib joined Mominul who by then reached half century. Shakib had some anxious moments. He could be gone had Santner not drop a dolly. Anyways, when play was called off for the day no further damage was done. Bangladesh at 154/3 proved many pundits wrong on a bowling assisting wickets under testing environment.

Basin Reserve Wicket after first day gets easier for batting. But the wicket has pace and bounce and may get faster on day two. If Bangladesh can continue their good works a score of over 350 may put them in good stead with quality pace attack and two good spinners.

Little bird Mominul has already proved his class disproving the whims of a few that he has weakness against genuine pace and rising deliveries. His composure, temperament and technique make him ideal number three in all formats of the game. Not playing him in ODI was a silly mistake.

One may question whether Mustafiz was at all match-fit when taken for the tour. If he were playing at all, Basin Reserve were right option. This wicket is tailor made for him. If not, he must not have been in the Sqaud at all.

Boult, Southee and Wagner struggled a bit to come to terms on the windy day. We are not sure how three rookie pacers would cope with the condition. Experienced Rubel may be missed dearly.
** Mominul shines in rain-affected first day’s play

BDST: 1506 HRS, JAN 12, 2017
SR/SMS