Shakib grabs three, Bangla back on track

Christchurch, January 21

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan grabbed three middle-order wickets in quick succession before rain brought an early close to the second day of the second Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval.

New Zealand were 260/7 when rain forced the players off the field, still 29 runs behind Bangladesh’s first innings of 289.

Tim Southee, who took five wickets to help dismiss the visitors in the final five minutes of play on Friday, was on four, while Henry Nicholls was 56 not out. The hosts had begun their innings with Jeet Raval and Tom Latham putting on 45 runs for the first wicket, before Kamrul Islam took two wickets in the same over.

Kamrul bowled Raval for 16 then had the prized wicket of captain Kane Williamson (2), caught by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan with a delivery that swung away and seamed off the pitch two balls later. Ross Taylor and Latham (68), however, then began to rebuild the innings with a 106-run partnership.

Brief scores: Bangladesh: 289 New Zealand: 260/7 (Taylor 77, Latham 68, Nicholls 56*, Shakib 3/32) . — Reuters