- By Manik Sharma
- Fri, 08 Dec 2023 05:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
BAN vs NZ 2nd Test Day 3: In a resurgent display on Day 3 of the rain-affected second cricket test against Bangladesh, Glenn Phillips spearheaded New Zealand's comeback with a blinder, leaving the match evenly poised in Mirpur.
After the entire second day and part of the third day were washed out, Phillips' aggressive innings of 87 off 72 balls guided New Zealand to a total of 180 in their first innings, securing an 8-run lead. The New Zealand bowlers then made a significant impact, reducing Bangladesh to 38-2 before play was halted due to bad light, adding to the equilibrium of the game.
Bangladesh had earlier been dismissed for 172 in their first innings. Phillips, taking on the role of an aggressor with a one-day style approach, played a vital role as New Zealand resumed at 55-5. His innings included nine fours and four sixes, with particular aggression against Mehidy Hasan, hitting three fours and one six in the spinner's first three overs.
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Phillips established crucial partnerships, contributing 49 with Daryl Mitchell for the sixth wicket and 55 with Kyle Jamieson for the eighth, enabling New Zealand to gain the lead. After Mitchell's dismissal, Phillips found support in Jamieson, and together they thwarted Bangladesh's attempts to make further breakthroughs.
However, Shoriful Islam managed to break through, dismissing Jamieson, leaving New Zealand at 162-8. Captain Tim Southee's brief but impactful cameo, featuring a four and a six, helped New Zealand surpass Bangladesh's total and take a psychological lead over the home team. Shoriful later removed Phillips, who edged a delivery behind, and Taijul Islam dismissed Southee in the next over.
As Bangladesh came out to bat in the second innings, Ajaz Patel provided New Zealand with an early breakthrough, dismissing opener Mahmudul Hasan. Zakir Hasan and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto added boundaries, but Southee's dismissal of Shanto halted Bangladesh's progress just before bad light intervened with effectively a session to play.
The match remains in the balance, with Bangladesh leading the two-match series following their 150-run victory in the first test, as they seek their first-ever test series win over New Zealand.