SYLHET: Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy made 86 and collaborated in two half-century partnerships to help Bangladesh finish day one of the first Test against New Zealand on 310-9 in Sylhet on Tuesday.
Electing to bat on a surface where the ball spun sharply from the first session, Bangladesh were 180-2 before New Zealand roared back into the contest with Glenn Phillips claiming 4-53 in his second Test.
Shoriful Islam (13) and Taijul Islam (eight) dragged Bangladesh past the 300-mark before bad light stopped play at the Sylhet International Stadium.
Bangladesh made a good start with opener Mahmudul Hasan playing serenely to put the side in the driving seat in the first session but his teammates’ rash shots undermined his effort. Mahmudul made a team-best 86 off 166 balls with 11 boundaries. He shared stands of 39 for the first wicket with Zakir Hasan and 53 for the second with Najmul Hossain Shanto as Bangladesh made steady progress.
Shanto, who led the home team in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, was dismissed just before lunch after playing an attacking 37 off 35 deliveries.
Mahmudul added 88 runs with Mominul Haque (37) to consolidate their position but off-spinner Phillips, bowling first time in a test match, broke the stand. Agencies
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