Kane Williamson showcased resilience with a century, but New Zealand finds themselves trailing Bangladesh by 44 runs at 266-8 on the second day of the first Test in Sylhet.
In his 29th Test century, Williamson scored 104 off 205 balls, featuring 11 fours. However, Taijul Islam managed to break through his defense, dismissing the right-hander. Taijul was the standout among Bangladesh's bowlers, securing 4-89. Other contributors to the wickets column were Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Shoriful Islam, and Mominul Haque, each claiming one wicket.
Glenn Phillips played a crucial role with 42 runs, partnering with Williamson in a 78-run sixth-wicket stand, rescuing the visitors from a challenging situation after losing the top half of their batting order for 175 runs. Mominul, the occasional left-arm spinner, forced Phillips to give a catch at slip, ending their partnership.
Williamson achieved his century off 189 balls with a single off Nayeem, putting him on par with legends Don Bradman and Virat Kohli in terms of Test centuries. Taijul, who had earlier dropped Williamson at midwicket on 63, redeemed himself by dismissing the former New Zealand captain and Ish Sodhi (0) in successive overs.
Daryl Mitchell, who had some luck on his side, reached 41 before being stumped by Nurul Hasan off Taijul's delivery. Mitchell had nicked pacer Shoriful while on four, but Bangladesh refrained from reviewing the caught-behind appeal, which was initially turned down by the on-field umpire.
Earlier, New Zealand bowled out Bangladesh for 310, and Tim Southee trapped Shoriful leg-before for 13. The Black Caps had a rapid start, scoring 10 runs off the first three balls. However, Bangladesh's spinners gradually gained control to halt the initial batting surge.
Taijul dismissed Tom Latham for 21, with Nayeem making the catch at fine leg. Devon Conway, the other opener, fell to off-spinner Mehidy two overs later, with debutant Shahadat Hossain taking a stunning one-handed catch at silly point after an inside edge hit Conway's pad.
Shoriful's dismissal of Henry Nicholls for 19 after lunch left New Zealand struggling at 98-3. The two-match series marks the commencement of a new cycle in the World Test Championship for both teams. As the cricketing drama unfolds in Sylhet, the resilience of Williamson and the twists in the game continue to capture the attention of cricket enthusiasts.
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