New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 1st Test: Visitors take lead as bowlers toil at Mount Maunganui

The first New Zealand vs Bangladesh Test has now further swung the way of the visitors after Day 3. After dismissing the hosts for 328 on Day 2, Bangladesh ended the third day on 401-6 – 73 runs ahead of New Zealand.

That this happened is doubly amazing given New Zealand made early inroads on Day 3. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who had batted well the previous day, was dismissed by Neil Wagner.

Wagner bowled one slanting away from the batsman, who slashed hard but picked out Henry Nicholls at gully. And Bangladesh lost a second wicket soon thereafter.

Trent Boult claimed his first wicket of the innings by uprooting Mushfiqur Rahim’s stumps. At that point, a batting collapse was very much on the cards.

However, Mominul Haque and Liton Das combined to put together a 100-run stand. Their partnership not only added some valuable runs, it frustrated the home team’s bowling attack.

One cannot accuse the Kiwis of not trying everything. They employed a variety of tactics, from bowling full to employing bouncers and even unorthodox field settings. Nothing really worked.

Bangladesh dominate day three; finish with 401/6, leading by 73 runs.#NZvBAN | #WTC23 | https://t.co/tytB0US2qJ pic.twitter.com/26eCWHfav1

— ICC (@ICC) January 3, 2022

Sadly for both Haque and Das, both fell before they could get a century. Haque was dismissed for 88 when Boult trapped him in front of the stumps. Das, on the other hand, edged one to the wicketkeeper off Boult.

If these two wickets again gave the hosts hope, it was gone once again. Yasir Ali and Mehidy Hasan stuck it out through the day, the former the more circumspect while the latter played a few good shots when possible.

How the pitch will influence New Zealand vs Bangladesh 1st Test

As things stand, Bangladesh have every reason to believe they can take a bigger lead – and further strengthen their hold on the match.

The fact that the pitch is now deteriorating will add to their confidence. The first two days saw the ball carry through easily but the pitch appears more sluggish now.

To make matters worse, the bounce on offer is now uneven and the pitch is likely to offer some turn. Should the Bangladesh batsmen be able to play out a session or two on Day 4, their slower bowlers can take advantage.

An unpredictable pitch will make a lead of even 150 a tough ask to overhaul for the home team. The question now is will Bangladesh be able to swell their lead.

Should they manage that on Day 4, they might just set themselves up for a win – never mind just a draw.