Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim set Bangladesh record against New Zealand
Friday 13 January 2017 07:53, UK
Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim laid waste to New Zealand's bowlers as they recorded Bangladesh's highest partnership in international cricket.
This first Test has swung dramatically in the Tigers' favour as Shakib - who hit 217 - also broke his country's record for the highest individual Test score, while captain Mushfiqur contributed 159 towards a fifth-wicket stand of 359 on the second day in Wellington.
Shakib made the Kiwis pay for dropping him on four the previous evening as he registered 31 fours in his innings to take Bangladesh from an overnight 154-3 to a mammoth 542-7 and leave their hosts stunned.
It seemed the Black Caps were in the ascendancy when Tim Southee struck in the fourth over as Mominul Haque failed to add to his overnight score of 64 after edging behind to wicketkeeper BJ Watling.
Shakib and new batsman Mushfiqur responded well to some short-pitched bowling, in particular from Neil Wagner, to keep Bangladesh ticking along.
With chances at a premium, the pair upped the ante with 61 runs in 10 overs shortly after the second new ball had been taken as first Shakib and then Mushfiqur brought up three figures.
Shakib, who became the third Bangladesh batsman to pass 3,000 Test runs, was the more attacking thereafter although it was a six from Mushfiqur that brought up the Tigers' highest stand for any wicket in Test cricket, overtaking the 312 made by Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes against Pakistan in 2015.
Shakib brought up his first double hundred with his 30th four before his record stand with Mushfiqur was ended in the next over when the Bangladesh skipper drove loosely and was caught behind off Trent Boult.
There was still time for one more record to fall, though, as Shakib surpassed the 206 Tamim made against Pakistan nearly two years ago to claim the best individual score by a Bangladesh batsman in Tests.
He was dismissed a few minutes before the close of play after chopping onto his stumps off Wagner, who had Mehedi Hasan caught at second slip with the final ball of the day as a chastening day for New Zealand finished on a positive note.
