The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh are now in the backseat as the Tigers lost their early three wickets for just 13 runs in the first innings against New Zealand at the close of the fourth day play of the second Test of the BRAC Bank two-Test series at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

Sent into bat first, New Zealand made 262 for the loss of six wickets and then, the Kiwis declared their first innings when the fourth day match remained just one hour.

Earlier, the three days of the second Test were abandoned due to heavy rain.

It is mentionable that New Zealand have a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series as the Kiwis beat the Tigers by three wickets in the hard-fought first Test in Chittagong, the port city of the country on October 21.

The fourth day of the second Test had a delay due to wet outfield.

The match started at 10.00 AM and Ashraful, the skipper of Bangladesh team who won the coin-session took advantages as the three top order batsmen of the Kiwis were dismissed for 49 runs off 12.3 overs.

It was Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the country's best medium pacer gave his team early breakthrough as he trapped lbw Aaron Redmond, the opener of New Zealand for two when New Zealand's score was just 10 runs. Mashrafe dismissed Redmond in his fifth delivery of the second over.

Mahbubul Alam, the debutant medium pacer celebrated his debut as he cleanly bowled Jamie How, the other opener for eight runs when the score board was giving a reading of 10 runs for the loss of two wickets off 3.1 overs.

Shahadat Hossain, the other opener struck as he cleanly bowled Ross Taylor for 19 runs. In that time New Zealand's score was 49 for the loss of three wickets.

Later, Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum repaired the damage contributing altogether 137 runs before Jesse Ryder was caught by Mehrab Hossain (Junior) off leg spinner Abdur Razzak making 91 off 140 balls when the team's total was 186 for the loss of four wickets. Ryder cracked 12 fours in his sparkle innings. He fulfilled his half century playing 78 deliveries.

After dismissal of Ryder, McCullum could stay at the crease for a short time as he was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan scoring 66 off 122 balls. He hit eight fours and a sixer in his sedate 174-minute knock. He fulfilled his Test fifty using 86 balls. when McCullum returned to the pavilion his team's total was 201 for the loss of five wickets off 57.3 overs,

Skipper Mohammad Ashraful removed Daniel Vettori for 22 and at that time New Zealand's total was 233 for the loss of six wickets.

Later, the Kiwis declared their first innings, when Daniel Flynn was on 35 and Grant Elliott was on eight.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mohammad Ashraful, Mahbubul Alam, Shahadat Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Abdur Razzak took one wicket each.

Bangladesh made a poor start as Daniel Vettori, the captain of New Zealand removed Zunaed Siddique (4), Mohammad Ashraful (0), Rajin Saleh (0) in his first over when the Tigers' total was 13 for the loss of three wickets off 10.4 overs.

Tamim Iqbal and Mehrab Hossain (Junior ) were at the stumps on eight and nought respectively.