5 Best performances by Bangladesh batsmen in Test cricket

1. Shakib Al Hasan – 217 vs New Zealand in 2017

Bangladesh started the year 2017 in longest format with the aim to improve their cricket while playing away from home. The tour to New Zealand for a couple of Test matches was their first assignment of the year. Everyone including their fans expected it to be the toughest tour for the visitors and turned out to be the same but not before a memorable knock from their best all-rounder ever Shakib Al Hasan.

After being asked to bat first on a track helpful for the seamers in overcast conditions, it seemed inevitable that New Zealand’s bowling would run through Bangladesh’s batting line-up. Bangladesh had lost 4 wickets with 160 runs on the board. Shakib, along with Mushifqur, then took the control of the innings and started the counter attack. He had fewer moments of discomfort and pulled and cut the balls with no half measures.

Shakib’s stroke-filled innings included 31 sublime fours. In the process, he scored a scintillating double century, his maiden, and only the second by a Bangladeshi batsman in Tests. He also added a record 359 runs stand with his captain who scored 159 and supported him beautifully. Eventually, Shakib was dismissed for 217, highest ever score by a Bangladesh batsman, and the visitors declared for their second highest score ever, 595.

In reply, New Zealand also scored 539 which included century from their opener Tom Latham. Bangladesh capitulated in the second innings to be bundled out for a paltry 160 undoing all the hard work done in the first innings. Hosts easily chased down the total of 217 on the final day. But Shakib’s innings left a mark and made many believe that Bangladesh is a force to reckon with now in Tests as well.