Kane Williamson struck a defiant century Wednesday but was unable to put New Zealand in control in the first Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet.
The visitors reached 266-8 at stumps on the second day, still trailing Bangladesh by 44 runs in the first innings. Williamson hit 104 off 205 balls in his 29th Test century with 11 fours, before Taijul Islam broke through his defence to bowl out the right-hander. "I mean, you just see all around the world, he's amazing and how he sort of works out different attacks, different sort of ways people are trying to get him out, different surfaces," New Zealand coach Luke Ronchi said in praise of Williamson. "So to be able to do it the way he does and the calmness he shows in situations is awesome," Ronchi added. "He's done it a lot, but a lot of our young guys can see how he does it." Taijul was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with 4-89, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Shoriful Islam and Mominul Haque claimed one wicket apiece. "I think the spinners bowled well.
We could have created some more pressure. We took eight wickets in the end, so it is a good day for us," Bangladesh spin coach Rangana Herath said.
Herath praised Taijul for bringing his wealth of experience to the fore. "Taijul is always helping the attack. He is our leading spinner.