Bangladesh reach 104-2 at lunch on day 1

Making a good start in the first test of the two-match series against New Zealand, Bangladesh reached 104-2 at lunch one day at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday (November 28).

Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy led the charge with a serene 42 not out at the first interval of the day with Mominul Haque on 3 as Bangladesh opted to bat first in a pitch appeared to be ideal for batting.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, who is leading the side in absence of Shakib Al Hasan, was dismissed after playing an attacking 37 off 35.

He was particularly harsh on left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, hitting him three sixes to entertain the scant crowd.

Patel gave the side first breakthrough, removing Zakir Hasan (12) with a delivery that turned sharply to rattle the stump.

Shanto targeted Patel and opened with six, lofting a delivery over mid-on. He used his feet nicely to dominate New Zealand’s other spinners --Ish Sodhi and Glenn Philips also.

But he paid the price of his aggressive batting, being undone by a full toss delivery off offspinner Philips (1-12).

Shanto’s dismissal brought Mominul to the crease just 10 minutes before lunch, and he and Joy ensured that Bangladesh reached three figures in the first session as they ended on 104.

Joyl who hit seven fours accumulated runs calmly to keep the scoreboard ticking as Bangladesh looked to build on the momentum they have got already.

Bangladesh have handed Shahadat Hossain Dipu his test debut in this match, and the youngster is set to bat at number six.