Taijul takes four as Bangladesh fightback on day 2

 
New Zealand were able to manage 266-8 at stumps in reply to Bangladesh's 310 in the first innings of the first Test match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Taijul Islam's four-fer helped the hosts to keep the Kiwis in check, he returned a figure of 4 wickets conceding 89 runs in his 30 overs.
Kane Williamson emerged as New Zealand's saviour for the umpteenth time in his career and compiled a patient hundred to help the tourists finish day two of the opening test against Bangladesh on 266-8.New Zealand batters struggled against Bangladesh's spin-heavy attack on a turning track in Sylhet but Williamson batted close to five hours for his cultured 104, which included 11 fours.

His 29th test hundred drew him level with Australia great Don Bradman and India stalwart Virat Kohli.
Captain Tim Southee (one) and Kyle Jamieson (seven) will resume New Zealand's bid to erase the 44-run deficit when play continues on Thursday in what promises to be a low-scoring contest.

Left-arm spinnerTaijul took the prized wicket of centurion Kane Willaimson who scored 104 off 205 balls and got rid of Ish Sodhi in the last session of the day's play.Earlier, Bangladesh were all out for 310 after Southee claimed the last wicket of Shoriful Islam with the first delivery of the day.
New Zealand lost Tom Latham, Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls before reaching the 100-mark but Williamson featured in three half-century partnerships to keep New Zealand in the contest.

Daryl Mitchell (41) and Glenn Phillips (42) made useful contributions while Williamson held up one end.
The top-order batter took a single off Nayeem Hasan to bring up his hundred before left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (4-89) breached his stubborn defence after Williamson attempted a forward defensive shot.

Bangladesh got back into the game when Mominul Islam broke the 78-run partnership by returning Glenn Philips with a catch to skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.Taijul sent back Daryll Mitchell with a catch to Nurul Hasan Sohan behind the stumps. Mitchell fell for a 64-ball 41, having survived a couple of close calls -- an edge to the keeper which the umpire didn't give out and Bangladesh didn't appeal.

Bangladesh suffered a blow when opening batsman Zakir Hasan had to be stretchered off after being hit by a ball while fielding close in.
Bangladesh played just one pacer in Shoriful Islam, in fact with an anticipation that the spin will come into the fore as the days go on.

New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway though played out Shoriful without any problem, they found them in wanting against offspinnersMehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.With Taijul tightening the grip, Latham who hit three fours for his 21 off 44 tried to sweep him to counter his threat but ended up top-edging it to Nayeem Hasan at backward square leg.

Conway after scoring 12 from 40 balls followed him two overs later when Miraz had him caught by Shahadat Hossain at silly point as he tried to defend a quicker delivery.With the side at 44-2 at 16th over, Williamson added 54 runs with Henry Nicholls who after making 19, edged a moving delivery of Shoriful Islam behind the wicket.

But Williamson was unstoppable as he found support in Daryl Mitchell, who batted with his natural aggression to put New Zealand on top.
As the duo batted fluently, Bangladesh were in backfoot. HoweverTaijul had Mitchell stumped, ending the dangerous 66-run partnership and helped the side claw back to the game.

Mitchell hit three fours and on six for his 54 ball-41.
Earlier, New Zealand offspinner Glenn Phillips earlier claimed 4-53 in his just second match to play a key role in bowling out Bangladesh for 310.
Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy made team-high 86. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque contributed 37 runs each.