Cricket: Bangladesh's brave fightback troubles NZ bowlers

New Zealand bowler Chris Martin rues a missed opportunity during day three against Bangladesh. Photo / Getty Images

Tim McIntosh and Peter Ingram will resume the Black Caps' second session at the bat tomorrow with the hosts standing at 9/1 after an inspired batting display from Bangladesh's bottom order.

The tourists, buoyed by a national test record of 145 for the seventh wicket between captain Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah, wrapped up their innings late on the third day of the one-off test with 408 runs on the board.

The home side declared their first innings yesterday at 553/7.

Having seen three of their side's wickets fall in just 10 overs, Shakib and Mahmudullah held their ground for more than 30 overs, making a mockery of the New Zealand bowling attack.

An audacious lap shot by Shakib brought him to 50 runs in the 73rd over when he brushed Jeetan Patel's delivery past Brendon McCullum and away for four. As if to rub it in, Shakib swatted Patel's next ball to the boundary as well.

Not to be outdone, Mahmudallah registered his half-century two overs later after swatting a lap shot of his own off a ball bowled by Daniel Vettori.

Daniel Vettori dismissed Mahmudullah via lbw and Rubel Hossain via run-out to end a spectacular session of batting which saw Mahmudullah top-score with 115, his highest test score and his first test century.

The tourists had resumed this morning on 87 for one but lost their way once opener Tamim Iqbal, who scored 58 of his 68 runs yesterday, was the first to depart to a false hook shot.

Iqbal, who slaughtered the Kiwi bowling late yesterday, reached his total off just 70 balls before skying an easy catch to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

Most in the top order got starts but they could not go on to trouble the hosts on a docile pitch.

A 48th over delivery from Vettori to to Mushfiqur Rahim was edged away and into the hands of Martin Guptill.

Aftab Ahmed received his marching orders after being caught by Ross Taylor off a Daryl Tuffey delivery in the 42nd over.

Minutes earlier, Mohammad Ashraful also fell foul of Tuffey's consistent bowling, swinging a delivery straight into the hands of BJ Watling.

He was dismissed for 12 runs in the 39th over.

Chris Martin got in on the act by getting the ball to shape away from left-hander Junaid Siddique, who was caught by Ross Taylor for 21.

- NZ HERALD ONLINE, NZPA