Mehrab Hossain capped his return to international cricket with a maiden half-century to help Bangladesh recover in the opening Test against New Zealand yesterday.
The 21-year-old made 79 not out to lift Bangladesh from a precarious 44-4 during an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 139 with Mushfiqur Rahim (59 not out) to take the hosts to 183-4 at the close on the opening day at Divisional Stadium.
Mehrab, only drafted into the final eleven after 14 frontline players defected to the Indian Cricket League last month, made the most of the chance, hitting 10 boundaries during his 164-ball knock.
PHOTO: AFP
Rahim hit nine boundaries and a six in his second Test 50.
It was left-arm spinner Vettori (2-50) who jolted the Bangladesh batting after lunch, grabbing two of the three wickets to fall in the space of just 10 runs.
Vettori dismissed Tamim Iqbal off the first delivery after the break, forcing an edge off the left-hander for a smart catch behind the stumps. Iqbal made 18.
Iain O’Brien then dismissed Rajin Saleh off an inside edge for 20 off 129 balls before Vettori trapped Ashraful for 2.
With the pitch expected to take spin, the home team went into the Test with four spinners and two seamers, while the visitors kept faith in Jeetan Patel and Vettori besides their three seamers.
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