|| CF DESK ||

New Zealand leveled the two-match Test series defeating Bangladesh by four wickets in the second Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Glenn Philips and Mitchell Santner formed a formidable 70-run partnership to ensure the win remained unbeaten on 40 and 35 runs respectively.

Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz shared five wickets together to pressure New Zealand batters and reduce the visitors to 69-6. However, the unbeaten partnership snatched the win from the Tigers. 

Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam drew the first blood, trapping Devon Conway LBW after lunch. Taijul Islam got the prized wicket of Kane Williamson being caught behind.

Then Miraz strike twice to remove Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham in the space of a couple of overs. He also got rid of Daryll Mitchell getting an outside edge while the batter attempted a reverse sweep picked by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Bangladesh were bundled up for 144 runs in their second innings in the first session after the prolific bowling by spinner Ajaz Pater returning a figure of 18-1-57-6.

Ajaz grabbed six wickets and Mitchell Santner took three wickets to rattle down Bangladesh as they were slumped to 144 on Day 4 setting 137 runs for the visitors.

Zakir Hasan top-scored for the hosts registering 59 runs leading the Tigers single-handedly while Nazmul Hasan Shanto, Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam were able to cross the double digits. 

Shoriful was the last batter to get dismissed, getting stumped off Ajaz, while Taijul Islam remained unbeaten on 14.

Zakir, who made 59 off 86 balls, tried to sweep the left-arm spinner but top-edged the ball and got caught by Daryll Mitchell.

Santner castled Mushfiqur Rahim with an outside edge to claim the wicket of the veteran batter for nine.

Earlier, bad lights brought an early end to the third day's play with the hosts leading the visitors by 30 runs at stumps.