Bangladesh finished Day 2 on a high, scoring 175 runs with the loss of 2 wickets after dismissing New Zealand for 328.
The Bangladeshi bowlers got off to a great start on Day 2 by picking up the remaining 5 New Zealand wickets for just 70 runs. Seamer Shoriful Islam dismissed Rachin Ravindra on just the 5th over of the day.
As New Zealand were reduced to 265 for the loss of 6 wickets, spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz and skipper Mominul Haque took care of the lower order as the New Zealand batters looked to attack the spinners.
Miraz picked up 3 wickets, dismissing the tail-enders of the host. Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, and Neil Wagner were sent back to the dressing room in the span of just 4.3 overs by Miraz.
Mominul Haque, sensing the attacking mindset of the Kiwi batters, brought himself on–ultimately dismissing the set Henry Nicholls for 75–who handed a catch to Shadman Islam attempting a reverse sweep.
With that, the New Zealand innings ended for 328 runs as the Bangladesh openers had to bat for 10 minutes before the lunch was called, a job that the openers passed successfully.
After lunch, although the wicket had flattened out a bit, the Bangladeshi openers had to face the challenge from the New Zealand quicks. Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy played out the initial new ball burst relatively well, although they were constantly tested outside the off stump.
The introduction of Neil Wagner in the New Zealand bowling attack gave them a renewed energy and just after the first drinks break of the session, Wagner got rid of Shadman Islam for 22 runs by completing a brilliant catch off his own bowling.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who went out to bat at number 3, was troubled initially, by Wagner in particular. But as he and Joy got set, they seemed comfortable in facing the attack and also left the outside-off-stump deliveries and negotiated the short balls well.
Both the batters were looking confident as Shanto reached his 2nd Test fifty hitting a massive six of Rachin Ravindra and was attacking the bowling.
Joy, on the other hand, took his time to reach his maiden Test fifty. As the Shanto and Joy pair reached a century-run partnership, Shanto fell soon to the bowling of Wagner after scoring 64 (109) while attempting a cover drive away from his body.
With just a few overs remaining of the day, captain Mominul Haque joined Joy at the crease. Both Wagner and Bolt had their tail up to pick up a few more wickets at the end of the day.
But Mominul and Joy were sensible enough to see off the day. They handled the attack well who were striving for a late dismissal.
Mominul finished the day scoring 8 runs from 27 balls and opener Joy remained unbeaten on 70 from 211 balls who, despite getting lucky on a few occasions today, played brilliantly against the strong Kiwi attack.
