HAMILTON: Defiant centuries from Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah were in vain as Trent Boult’s five-wicket haul gave New Zealand a crushing victory over Bangladesh in the first Test by an innings and 52 runs in Hamilton on Sunday. After the stubborn double-century partnership took Bangladesh to 361 for four in their second innings, Boult opened the final chapter of the Test when he bowled Soumya for 149. Mahmudullah called it a “gutsy innings” as they batted together for nearly three sessions and produced the sixth best partnership by a Bangladesh pair. When Bangladesh resumed Sunday on 174 for four they faced a Herculean task to score a further 307 just to make New Zealand bat again. But, Soumya could not hold out that long and when the new ball was taken he lasted 14 more deliveries before Boult ended his resistance and the tenacity left the innings.

Source: Pakistan Today March 03, 2019 11:03 UTC