PERFORMER OF THE DAY

SHAKIB AL HASAN

89 for two is an analysis that will soon be lost among greater exploits by Shakib Al Hasan, the bowler. But yesterday as Bangladesh were looking to dismiss hosts New Zealand cheaply enough to gain a first-innings lead, Shakib's quality shone over the quantity of wickets. Opener Tom Latham and number five batsman Henry Nicholls's fourth-wicket stand had swelled to 142 pretty quickly, and there was a fear that the Mushfiqur-Shakib epic on Day 2 may find a Kiwi rendition. But Shakib, as he invariably does, brought Bangladesh back by getting Nicholls caught off a drifter at leg slip, before getting centurion Latham plumb in front while sweeping. These were body blows for the Kiwis and went a long way in ensuring a lead for Bangladesh.