Tamim fifty leads confident start

Lunch Bangladesh 111 for 2 (Tamim 50*, Marshall 41) v New Zealand

Tamim Iqbal was dropped twice but went on to score a fifty © AFP

New Zealand ended the opening session of the Mirpur Test with two wickets, but were left to rue dropping Tamim Iqbal twice early in his innings, as the batsman capitalised on that to end unbeaten on 50. Bangladesh scored at close to four runs an over with the in-form Mominul Haque batting with Tamim.

Tamim was let off on 5 and 10, edging behind off Doug Bracewell on both occasions. In the first instance, the wicketkeeper BJ Watling dived to his left and spilled the catch as the ball headed towards first slip. Two overs later, Tamim edged towards second slip where the captain Brendon McCullum put down a more regulation chance.

There was some relief for New Zealand after that sloppy start in the field in the following over when Anamul Haque miscued a pull off Trent Boult and was caught by Kane Williamson running from slip. Marshall Ayub, who said before this Test that he was keen to make the No.3 spot his own, began positively, driving his second ball through cover for four. He was strong off Bracewell, scoring two consecutive boundaries before taking on Neil Wagner with boundaries over point.

Tamim made New Zealand pay for those let-offs with a flurry of boundaries through the off side. He sped towards his fifty with consecutive boundaries off the offspinner Kane Williamson, stepping down the track and lofting towards cover. A Test century has eluded him for three years and he was halfway there at the end of the session.

Marshall looked set for a maiden Test fifty before he lost his offstump to Wagner, walking back for an aggressive 62-ball 41 with six fours. His wicket halted a steady stand, but it was reassuring for the hosts that a set Tamim was still at the crease at lunch.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.