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Debutant openers lead Test fightback by Bangladeshis

Debut openers Tamim Iqbal and Zunaed Siddique led a Bangladesh resurgence on the second day of the first Test yesterday, building a record partnership to cut into New Zealand's 220-run first innings lead.

After being dismissed for 137 in their first innings, Bangladesh reached 148 without loss in their second by stumps with Iqbal -- who made a half century on Friday -- 73 not out and Siddique 68 not out.

The openers, who are among three new caps in the Bangladesh team for the nation's 50th Test, now hold the record for the largest partnership by a Bangladeshi opening pair against all opponents, beating the previous record of 132.

They are closing on the Bangladesh record for all wickets, standing at 186, after cutting New Zealand's overall lead to only 72 runs at stumps.

Earlier, Matthew Bell made 107 and Jacob Oram 117 to lead New Zealand to 357 in their first innings which seemed to give the home side an imposing hold on the match.

The Bangladesh openers set about loosening that hold, taking advantage of perfect batting conditions to give their team hope of saving the match.

Siddique reached his first Test half century from 69 balls with 10 fours while Tamim added his second 50 from 52 balls with seven fours and a six.

The day had previously belonged to Bell and Oram who had given depth and substance to a mediocre New Zealand innings.

Bell posted his second Test century, seven years after his first, to mark his comeback to the New Zealand team after a six-year absence. His 100 -- the first century by a New Zealand opener in 22 Tests -- came off 175 balls and included 17 boundaries.

The compact opening batsman played 13 Tests for New Zealand over a three-year period between 1998 and 2001, scoring a century and two half centuries, before losing his place in the Kiwi lineup for six years.

He was recalled for this match after an outstanding domestic first-class season in which he scored 722 runs at an average of more than 100.

Bell dallied for nearly an hour in the 90s and almost came to a stop at 97 before easing a two, then a single to reach his century 30 minutes before lunch. He moved on to 107 before being trapped lbw by the leg spin of Mohammad Ashraful, who took both wickets to fall in the morning session.

Oram reached his century from 144 balls and his innings included 17 fours and a six. Apart from Bell and Oram, however, few batsmen established themselves and the New Zealand lead was considerably smaller than they would have hoped.
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