Cricket: Poor start costly for Bangladesh

Junaid Siddique reflects on his highly unusual dismissal. Photo / Getty Images

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Bangladesh have suffered multiple early setbacks after being set a target of 404 to win the one-off cricket test against New Zealand.

They slumped to 88 for five by stumps after New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori declared his side's second innings at 258 for five early in the final session on the fourth day at Seddon Park today.

Resuming for what should be a forlorn cause tomorrow will be Mushfiqur Rahim on 10 with skipper Shakib Al Hasan yet to score.

Despite the size of their target, opener Tamim Iqbal simply couldn't control himself, smacking 30 off 19 balls before holing out to an excellent catch to Daryl Tuffey at mid off.

The Bangladeshis really knew their luck wasn't in when Junaid Siddique was bowled by Chris Martin for eight in highly unusual fashion.

Siddique prodded forward tentatively and the ball ricocheted off his arm guard, looping in the air and falling directly on top of the bails.

Aftab Ahmed was dropped on five by Martin but did not make the most of his good fortune, being run out by a smart piece of fielding by Jeetan Patel, who scurried to short cover off his own bowling to stop a single then threw down the stumps with Ahmed short of his ground.

Vettori promptly trapped Mohammad Ashraful leg before wicket for two and Patel changed ends and bowled Imrul Kayes for 29 as the rot well and truly set in for Bangladesh.

Earlier, tall opener Tim McIntosh top scored for New Zealand today with 89 before becoming one of three run out victims.

Martin Guptill completed a mighty match double with 56 not out to add to his career-best 189 in New Zealand's first innings of 553 for seven declared, while Ross Taylor contributed 51.

Bangladesh, who made 408 in the first innings here, have only twice passed 300 in the fourth innings of a test, both times in losing causes.

They managed 413 batting last against Sri Lanka at Dhaka in 2008 and made 301 at Chittagong against India last month.

Their highest successful fourth innings run chase was the 285 for five against Zimbabwe at Dhaka in 2005, the first of their three test wins, while their best at an overseas venue was 217 for six to beat the West Indies at St George's last year.

Bangladesh have won just three of 63 tests since being admitted to the test roster 2001.

- NZPA