DHAKA, Dec 8, 2023 (BSS)-An attacking knock of Glenn Phillips denied

Bangladesh taking the full stranglehold on the second and final Test against
New Zealand after a truncated day three which saw only 32.4 overs were
possible at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

Phillips struck a 72 ball-87 to help New Zealand put up 180 in its first
innings, taking a 8-run lead and then New Zealand bowlers left Bangladesh 38-
2 before the day's play was called off due to bad light. Bangladesh were
dismissed for 172 in its first innings.

After an entire second day and the first session of the third day was washed
out due to rain or wet grounds, Phillips led the charge with one-day style
batting as New Zealand resumed at 55-5.

Bangladesh indeed were eying a substantial first innings lead, given New
Zealand's vulnerability against the spinners. But Phillips didn't let it do.

He smote nine fours and four sixes in his innings and was particularly harsh
on Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the most successful bowler of Bangladesh on day one.
Phillips chose to attack him right from the words go as he struck Miraz three
fours and one six in his first three overs to keep the runs flowing.

Phillips formed two crucial partnerships-49 with Mitchell for the sixth
wicket and 55 with Kyle Jamieson for the eighth wicket to help New Zealand
earn the lead and eventually left the game in balance.

Miraz who claimed three wickets on day one, couldn't add to any to his tally
and finished with 3-53. Taijul Islam also returned figures of 3-64.

Offspinner Nayeem Hasan and Pacer Shoriful Islam took two wickets apiece and
played an important role in limiting New Zealand's lead to a single digit
figure amid Phillips' relentless attack.

Daryl Mitchell was struggling against the spinners and eventually was caught
out by Miraz at long-on for 18 off offspinner Nayeem Hasan's first over.

In his next over Nayeem dismissed Mitchell Santner for 1 to leave New Zealand
at 97-7 as Bangladesh sensed a chance of a big lead. But Phillips got the
support of Jamieson to keep Bangladesh at bay.

Together they came up with calculative aggression, much to the despair of
Bangladesh bowlers, who lacked Plan B clearly when Plan A didn't work.

But Shoriful broke through with the wicket of Jamieson who made 20 with three
boundaries.

Skipper Tim Southee hit a four and a six for his 14 as New Zealand went past
Bangladesh's total.

With Phillips attacking with uncluttered mind in a tough wicket, New Zealand
appeared to have taken a substantial lead.

However Bangladesh heaved a huge sigh of relief when Phillips' knock came to
an end as he edged a delivery of Shoriful behind.

Taijul who claimed removed Southee in the next over, to limit the lead in
single digit figure, giving Bangladesh some hopes to regain the control of
the game.

The hopes were dashed at the end when New Zealand hit back with two early
wickets.
Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel (1-13) helped New Zealand get off to a good start
when he spun one to dismiss opener Mahmudul Hasan.

Zakir Hasan and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto hit boundaries at regular
interval to keep the scoreboard moving.
But Southee dismissed Shanto who chipped one straight to mid-off where Kane
Williamson grabbed a dolly before bad light halted the game.

The condition of the light was not improved as on field umpires called it a
day.

Bangladesh lead the two-match series after a 150-run victory in the first
match and is looking for its first Test series win over New Zealand.