New Zealand Vs Bangladesh, 1st Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington

Bangladesh: 542/7 (Shakib 217, Mushfiqur 159, Mominul 64, Tamim 59, Wagner 3/124, Boult 2/121 and Southee 2/144)

DHAKA: Brilliant milestone setting batting by two senior professionals -- Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim -- inscribed yet another red-letter day in the cricket history of Bangladesh on January 13, 2017.

Basin Reserve believed to be batsmen’s mine field in the first innings witnessed a surprising reverse as Shakib-Mushfique exhibited scintillating display of aggressive cricket against one of the most potent bowling attacks on foreign soil. Batting together for 82.2 overs in the 5th wicket partnership the pair put on record setting 359 runs, highest for Bangladesh in any wicket in test cricket.

Bangladesh at stumps of second day was 542/7. The fearsome pace trio Southee (2/144), Boult (2/121) and Wagner (3/124) were reduced to street side bowler on their known surface. Bangladesh must take great heart from this turn around as only a few days back these batsmen were struggling against the same bowlers in shorter versions of the game.

Star all-rounder Sizzling Shakib scored his career best 217-run off 276 balls punctuated with 31 boundaries. Majestic Mushfique, his partner, in display scored 159 from 260 deliveries with 23 fours and a six. They, of course, owed a lot to Tamim and Mominul for expertly laying the foundation on the rain affected first day on a difficult wicket.

It was by far the best batting display by Bangladesh in test cricket in Australia-New Zealand. It disproved the forecast of many pundits that quality Kiwi pace attack on hard bouncy, grass top wicket in windy condition would blow Bangladesh away for nothing. Bangladesh reached impregnable position from where they can press for their first ever win against New Zealand in test and that too on their own fort.

New Zealand had early success on day two when Mominul was priced out without any addition to his overnight score of 64. Thenceforth, Shakib and Mushfique made the Kiwi attack sweat and toil. They counter attacked savagely and were aided by some luck occasionally. Shakib was particularly brutal on anything loose and wide. His gay abandon cavalier approach kept Williamson guessing. Mushfique was a little careful. Yet he also batted brilliantly and complemented Shakib stroke for stroke.

Shakib had a let off on the last stage of the first day at 4 by Mitchell Santner- a straight forward opportunity. Jeet Raval at second slip leaped to hold a slash from Mushfique on 28 but failed to hold on. Apart from these two chances, the pair played beautifully.

The partnership eclipsed 312-run first wicket partnership between Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes against Pakistan in the second innings of the Khulna test on April 28, 2015. Mushfique himself paired with Ashraful in 267 runs 5th wicket partnership against Sri Lanka on March 8, 2013.

Shakib was fluent all the way while Mushfique had to contain bouncer barrage some of which caused bruising. Yet he had grit and guts in leading his team from the front. The wicket looked flat and outfield was lightning fast. It seems that this wicket still can yield lot more runs. But against huge score any team can struggle in response. Bangladesh has not declared yet. With flamboyant Sabbir still there Mushfique may want to bat on for a while before declaring. That will let him use the roller of his choice on the wicket on the third morning. If Bangladeshi pacers can make early inroads, Shakib and Miraz can test the skills of Kiwi batsmen against quality spin.

We hope, spurred by batting success, the rookie pacers would get over their nerves. If they can bowl on the right channel they can trouble Kiwi batsmen. This wicket may assist Shakib and Miraz at some stage as it still has bounce. Some balls were seaming also. Hope legendary Courtney Walsh will tutor his charge well. Who knows better than him how to bowl on this wicket.

Bangladeshis all over the world will be glued to live commentary on the week end on Saturday, the third day of the test. Dreams have started taking wings.
** Shakib 217, Mushfiq 159 flattens Kiwis

BDST: 1547 HRS, JAN 13, 2017
SR