Bangladesh close in on win against NZ

Sylhet, Dec. 2: Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed 4-40 to rip through New Zealand’s batting lineup as Bangladesh closed in on a victory in the series-opening test on Friday.

New Zealand was reduced to 113-7 at stumps on day 4, chasing a victory target of 332.

Daryl Mitchell batted patiently to end the day on 44, with Ish Sodhi on 7. Opener Devon Conway was the only other batter to put up resistance with 22.

Pacer Shoriful Islam extended Tom Latham’s lean patch with a six-ball duck in the first over, and Kane Williamson failed to build on his first-innings century on an increasingly deteriorating wicket. Williamson started with a brace of boundaries against Mehidy Hasan but Taijul troubled him by varying the pace and finally trapped him lbw for 11. Williamson reviewed in vain.

With New Zealand at 46-4, the onus was on Mitchell but he found little support from the other end.

Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell (6) was stifled by Taijul before edging a turning delivery behind, and Nayeem pegged back the visitors further with a successful review to remove Glenn Phillips.

When Taijul got the better of Kyle Jamieson for 7, Bangladesh looked like they could wrap up the win on day four.

But Mitchell and Sodhi survived a tricky 30 minutes before the bad light forced stumps.

Earlier, Bangladesh was bowled out for 338 in its second innings. Najmul Hossain Shanto added just one run to his overnight score and was out for 105 as Bangladesh lost a succession of wickets. Mehidy Hasan scored 50 not out to help the side take the lead past 300.

The hosts started Day 4 on 212-3 but lost Shanto in the second over when Tim Southee had him caught down the leg side, ending a 98-run fourth-wicket stand. (AP)