Bangladesh on top after Mehidy leads lower-order heroics

Cricket
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At tea on the fourth day, New Zealand were still trailing by 62 runs

New Zealand 328 and 68 for 2 (Young 32*, Taylor 4*) trail Bangladesh 458 (Mominul 88, Litton 86, Boult 4-85) by 62 runs

Two wickets in the post-lunch session helped Bangladesh feel more confident, and kept New Zealand in a corner, still trailing by 62 runs. The Mount Maunganui pitch hasn’t shown any real sign of wear and tear, despite it being day four, which should encourage the home side, but they are still under the pump.

The middle session began with a flurry of boundaries but Taskin Ahmed got one to jump at Tom Latham who chopped on to his stumps in the ninth over.
Devon Conway, who made 122 in the first innings, wasn’t his bubbly self in the second innings, struggling to 13, before Ebadot Hossain removed him. The left-hander was caught at gully, after the ball inside edged on to his pad. Bangladesh reviewed for both, with the catch decision overturned as it reached Shadman Islam at gully.

There could have been two wickets in the space of eight balls but Litton Das dropped Young on 31. It was a straightforward chance for the wicketkeeper, and could have been a further blow for New Zealand.

Mehidy Hasan and Yasir Ali added 75 runs for the seventh wicket. Mehidy was the lower-order star with his 47 that included eight fours. He survived two lbw appeals early on the fourth morning when he inside edged both Rachin Ravindra and Neil Wagner, saving him from two on-field decisions.

When Tim Southee removed Mehidy in his 36th over of the day, it was also his first wicket in 468 balls in Test cricket. Kyle Jamieson also got his first wicket in the match when he had Yasir caught down the leg side for 26. Trent Boult then took his fourth wicket – clean bowling Shoriful Islam – when he was brought back late in the session.

Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84

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