Taijul leads B’desh to 150-run win against New Zealand

SYLHET: Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took his second 10-wicket haul in Tests as Bangladesh secured a 150-run victory in the series-opening match against New Zealand on Saturday.

Taijul followed his 4-109 with 6-75 in the second innings to wrap up New Zealand’s innings for 181 in the first session of the final day, with the tourist chasing a target of 332 runs.

Offspinner Nayeem Hasan complemented him with 2-40, while pacer Shoriful Islam (1-13) and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan (1-44) contributed a wicket apiece.

“We are just thinking about the process, not the result,” Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said. “We have so many Test matches coming up. This win will give us a confidence to do well. “As I said earlier, we want to make winning a habit at home. Hopefully we will be able to continue the performance.” Daryl Mitchell battled to top-score for the visitor with a patient 58 from 120 balls.

Resuming at 113-7, Mitchell’s presence gave New Zealand a slim hope of an unlikely victory and he struck Taijul for a boundary from the third ball of the day before punching the same bowler for a single through cover to raise his ninth half-century off 99 balls.

Unlike many of his compatriots Mitchell looked confident against the host’s spinners, but a mis-timed sweep shot against Hasan eventually brought about his dismissal and effectively ended New Zealand’s hopes of saving the game.

Skipper Tim Southee scored an attacking 34 off 24 balls, with one four and two sixes, before Taijul dismissed him to complete his 12th five-for. Taijul then wrapped up the match when Ish Sodhi, who made a laborious 22 off 91, popped a simple catch to Zakir Hasan at silly mid-off.

“Bangladesh played well and are a very good side in these conditions. As a bowling group, we needed to sustain pressure,” Southee said. “It was a pretty good wicket. Took a bit of spin which you expect in this part of the world.

“We’ll reflect on this and try to be better in the next game. Everyone’s striving to always improve their game and get better.”

Opener Mahmudul Hasan made 86 as Bangladesh was bowled out 310 in its first innings but New Zealand compiled 317, for a seven-run lead, courtesy of a brilliant 104 from Kane Williamson.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 310 & 338 bt New Zealand 317 & 181 in 71.1 overs (D Mitchell 58, T Islam 6/75)