|| CF Correspondent ||

Despite Mahmudullah and Soumya Sarkar’s defiant ton New Zealand win by an innings and 52 runs in the first Test against Bangladesh at Hamilton to go 1-0 up in the three-Test series.

After all the hard work by Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah against New Zealand's short-ball ploy, the hosts hit back with the second new ball to secure an innings victory on Day 4 of the first Test in Hamilton on Sunday (March 3). Sarkar and Mahmudullah ensured a wicket-less first session and added 235 for the fifth wicket.

However, Boult used the new cherry to good effect post lunch, picking up a five-wicket haul to bowl New Zealand to a win by an innings and 52 runs.

The left-hander departed after scoring 149 in the second session on the fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand in Hamilton after holding down one end through to lunch with stand-in skipper Mahmudullah.

Soumya Sarkar thrived under pressure taking blows to the body and getting battered by short deliveries but yet counter-attacking with efficiency to smash his maiden Test ton and equal record for fastest hundred scored by a Bangladesh batsman in Tests.

Tamim Iqbal had long held the record as his own when he struck 100 off 94 deliveries against England at Lord’s in 2010. Soumya matched the feat today with a 94-ball ton against a New Zealand attack which tested his patience and his ability with their short-ball strategy that Kiwis opted for the Bangladesh batsmen.

The left-hander was on 39 runs overnight and smashed 25 fours and five sixes on way to his first Test hundred.

Following Soumya's wicket, Tigers lost two more wickets, that of Liton Das and Mehedi Miraz in quick succession.

Meanwhile, Mahmudullah, having reached his fourth Test ton, went on to post his highest-ever Test score, beating his previous best of 136 against Windies last year.

Abu Jayed fell before tea and Bangladesh reached tea at 424 for eight. Riyad fell after tea and Bangladesh innings only lasted four more deliveries after that as Ebadat Hossain fell in the same over.

The visitors had earlier crumbled to 234 in their first innings after being put into bat. Tamim Iqbal struck a ton in the first innings where all others failed to make a mark. New Zealand then shattered records to post their highest Test total of 715 for six before declaring on Day 3.

Tigers lost four wickets on Saturday before Soumya and Mahmudullah showed tremendous fight as Tigers went down with dignity even amidst an innings defeat.

Brief Score

1st Innings

Bangladesh: 234