Glenn Phillips played an attacking knock as New Zealand hit back strongly on Day III of the rain-affected second Test against Bangladesh on Friday to leave the game evenly poised.
Phillips struck a 72-ball 87 to help New Zealand put up 180 in their first innings and take an eight-run lead. New Zealand’s bowlers then left Bangladesh on 38/2 before play was called off due to bad light.
The hosts were dismissed for 172 in their first innings.
After the entire second day and the first session of the third day were washed out, Phillips led the charge with one-day style batting as New Zealand resumed at 55/5.
Phillips hit nine fours and four sixes in his innings and was particularly harsh on Mehidy Hasan, hitting three fours and one six in his first three overs to keep the runs flowing.
He formed two crucial partnerships — 49 with Daryl Mitchell for the sixth wicket and 55 with Kyle Jamieson for the eighth to help New Zealand earn the lead. Mitchell was struggling against the spinners and eventually was caught out by Mehidy at long-on for 18 off Nayeem Hasan.
In his next over Nayeem, who took 2/21, dismissed Mitchell Santner for 1 to leave New Zealand at 97/7 but Phillips got the support of Jamieson to keep Bangladesh at bay.
Shoriful Islam (2/15) broke through with the wicket of Jamieson, who made 20. Skipper Tim Southee hit a four and a six for his 14 as New Zealand went past Bangladesh’s total.
Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel (1-13) helped New Zealand get off to a good start when he dismissed opener Mahmudul Hasan. Zakir Hasan and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto kept the scoreboard moving.
But Southee dismissed Shanto, who chipped one straight to mid-off where Kane
Williamson grabbed the easy catch.
