Twitter Reactions: Liton Das, Mominul Haque help Bangladesh take command at Bay Oval

Bangladesh are, slowly but surely, putting themselves in a commanding position in their opening Test against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Having garnered a first innings lead of 73 runs with four wickets in hand, the Tigers have shown that they are no pushovers. The Black Caps, in the meantime, have plenty of catching up to do if they wish to secure a victory.

Mominul, Liton try their hearts out

At the close of play on Day two, the visitors made sure of reducing the deficit to 153 with Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque being the overnight batters. Joy couldn’t add much to his overnight tally as Neil Wagner nipped him out for 78 in the third over of the day’s play. Soon after Trent Boult castled Mushfiqur Rahim and Bangladesh seemed to find themselves in a bit of pressure if not a whole lot.

From there on, skipper Mominul and Liton Das made sure that the Tigers surpassed the Kiwis’ first innings score without having to break much sweat. The duo put on 158 runs for the fifth wicket to put their team on the driver’s seat. Mominul was the more circumspect of the two as he scored 88 runs off 244 balls with the help of 12 fours. In the second session, he got to his half-century off 147 balls.

Bangladesh with their noses ahead

Liton, on the other hand, carried on with his decent run of form from the Pakistan Test series. The right-hander scored 86 runs off 177 balls with the help of 10 fours. When the duo was separated, Bangladesh had already garnered a lead of 33 runs. Boult got rid of Mominul to end the partnership. The Tigers’ captain took the DRS, but to no avail. Soon after, Das became Boult’s third victim.

After Mominul and Das got out, Yasir Ali Chowdhury and Mehidy Hasan found themselves together on naught with more than 11 overs left in the day’s play. However, they stayed unbeaten and helped Bangladesh extend their lead. Mehidy smashed four fours on his way to 20. For New Zealand, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson are yet to open their accounts with the ball in hand.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to the day’s play in Mount Maunganui

Bangladesh has taken the first-innings lead…with six wickets still in hand. Quite an achievement. A little over two days of play left…could be an exciting Test match. #NZvBan

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 3, 2022

Oh boy! Oh boy! @BCBtigers are in control strongly at Mount Manganui test. 4 fifties by Top and middle order batsman brought the lead comfortably. 👌#Cricket #NZvBAN #NZvsBan
🇳🇿🆚🇧🇩

— Muhammad 🇧🇩 فايسال অনি 🇵🇸 (@imfaisalony007) January 3, 2022

401/6 in 156 overs with 73 runs lead and 4 wickets in hand.
Bangladesh has outclassed New Zealand in Mount Maunganui test. Little more effort and Bangladesh could win its first test in SENA countries#NZvBAN

— Ali Raza (@AliRazaTweets) January 3, 2022

Bangladesh becomes the first team to register a 400+ score against the pace attack of Southee, Boult, Wagner & Jamieson.

Previous highest score against this pace attack was 317 by West Indies at Wellington in Dec 2020.#NZvBAN

— Rhitankar Bandyopadhyay (@rhitankar8616) January 3, 2022

Bangladesh have grown so much over the last few years and they always put up a fight in all formats! Asian teams have started to dominate in SENA countries! #NZvBAN

— Rohit Subramanian (@rohit3195) January 3, 2022

I am more keenly waiting for fourth day of #NZvBAN than this #SAvIND test… https://t.co/z7MHpfyJlF

— Ayush (@ayushmishra__) January 3, 2022

🇳🇿 – 328
🇧🇩 – 401/6

Mominul Haque and Liton Das have taken Bangladesh to a commanding position against New Zealand.

P.S. Bangladesh have never won a Test against New Zealand. #NZvsBan #NZvBAN

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) January 3, 2022

What an effort from BAN🇧🇩 👏👏 so far in this match. If they can atleast stretch out the lead to atleast 250 then they can think of win from there on. #NZvBAN

— Vishal Sahani (@Vishals1602) January 3, 2022

Just cannot believe that @BCBtigers has taken 73 run lead in 1 st innings against WTC champions @BLACKCAPS in New Zealand. This is something not many countries have done recently. New Zealand conditions are tough for any Asian country batsman. Bangladesh batsman on 🔥.#NZvBAN

— Karan (@KaranChoksi6) January 3, 2022

unbelievable batting display by Bangladesh against such a strong team specially on home ground,NZ. #NZvBAN

— Akshat Singh (@AkshatTaman) January 3, 2022

Very rear that Bangladesh have followed 1 good day's cricket by another 1 outside Asia.

After 2 good days back to back, Bangladesh are in commanding position in this match.They need to stretch this lead to 150 now, if they do that then NZ will feel the pressure.#NZvsBan #NZvBAN

— Vipul Ghatol (@Vipul_Espeaks) January 3, 2022

Extra Ordinary Cricket from Bangladesh. Batters have Shown the Great Composure and Skills Against World Champions in their Backyard

Yes Bangladesh Didn't Get Cow Grass Spicy Wicket what Pakistan and India Got in Last Tour. Bangla Boys Deserve the Credit for this Fight 👏 #NZvBAN

— 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗭𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗿 🇵🇰 (@iam_JZK) January 3, 2022

#NZvBAN still a better contest than mighty #Ashes

— بنتِ مجاہد (@Ha_ph_ca) January 3, 2022