Glenn Phillips, a part-time off-spinner, claimed four wickets as Bangladesh were reduced to 310 for nine at the end of the opening day of the first Test today at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Phillips, who is known as a partnership-breaker in white-ball cricket, demonstrated his ability with the red ball as well, taking vital wickets of Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, debutant Shahadat Hossain, and wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan.
Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy led the way with 86 runs, while several batters reached into the 20s and 30s but couldn’t get going. Phillips was the most successful spinner on a track that aided turn for the spinners, conceding 53 runs in 16 overs, while the two specialist spinners, Azaz Patel and Ish Sodhi, shared three wickets.
Taijul Islam (8) and Shoriful Islam (13) were at the crease at stumps as the day’s play came to a halt after 85 overs due to bad lighting.
Debutant Shahadat will be gone for 24 hours.
After negotiating 54 deliveries, debutant Shahadat Hossain succumbed to a simple delivery from part-time spinner Glenn Phillips. The right-handed middle-order hitter hit 24 before chipping an easy catch to short midwicket while advancing to the ball and attempting to work it on the leg-side.
The dismissal left Bangladesh 261 for seven, leaving Nurul Hasan as the only recognised batter left.
Bangladesh are in a perilous position after losing important wickets of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehedi Hasan Miraz shortly after resuming after the tea break on Day 1 of their first Test against New Zealand at the Sylhet International Stadium today.
Bangladesh are 243 for six at the end of 70 overs, with rookie Shahadat Hossain unbeaten on 17 off 41 and wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan not out on 10 off six (he edged out two Kyle Jamieson deliveries shortly after going on to the crease).
Mushfiqur was the first to go in the final session, when the seasoned batsman threw away his wicket by charging Ajaz Patel. Mushfiqur couldn’t clear the pitch, leaving Kane Williamson with a simple catch at deep mid-off.
Miraz and rookie Shahadat began to create a bond before the former was taken off guard when playing a Kyle Jamieson delivery. Miraz attempted to check his attempted pull shot and gained a top edge, giving the initial slip a simple catch.