4 January 2008

Bangladesh 137 (Tamim Iqbal 53, Martin 4-64) v
New Zealand 156-4 (Bell 74no) in Dunedin
Scorecard

Fourteen wickets fell on day one of the opening Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh in Dunedin, the home side closing four down but ahead thanks to an unbeaten half-century from returning opener Matthew Bell.

Having bowled their tourists out for 137, New Zealand stuttered in their reply, debutant Sajidul Islam picking up the wickets of Craig Cumming (one) and Stephen Fleming (14) with Shahadat Hossain dismissing Peter Fulton for 14 also and Mashrafe Mortaza seeing off Mathew Sinclair for 29.

Bell stood firm, reaching stumps on 74 not out from 123 balls with his side on 156 for four, already 17 runs ahead with Jacob Oram not out on 17.

Bangladesh named a much changed side, but the same old problems surfaced. Debutant opener Junaid Siddique fell early on for one, Habibul Bashar hit two sixes and a four in a whirlwind 23 before departing as only four men reached double figures.

Former opener and vice-captain Shahriar Nafees was accommodated in the middle order, where he made a patient 16 while by far the most impressive performance came from Tamim Iqbal, marking his debut with 53 from the top of the order.

Alas, no-one could follow his lead and with Chris Martin (4-64), Jacob Oram (3-23) and Kyle Mills (2-29) in full flow, Bangladesh collapsed again. Injured bowlers Shane Bond and Mark Gillespie were hardly missed.

© Cricket World 2008

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Bangladesh In New Zealand