1st Test: Gazi's maiden ton lights up run-laden Test

Bangladesh spinner stars as NZ end day four on 117-1.

CHITTAGONG:

Bangladesh's lower-order batsman Sohag Gazi hit a maiden Test century yesterday as the first Test against New Zealand in Chittagong headed for a high-scoring draw.

The hosts, lying at the bottom of the Test table in 10th place, piled up 501 in reply to New Zealand's 469 before being all out soon after lunch on the fourth day with a lead of 32 runs.

The Black Caps, ranked eighth above only Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, helped themselves to 117 for one in their second innings before heavy rain forced play to be called off at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.

Peter Fulton was unbeaten on 44 and Kane Williamson was on 28 with the Black Caps going into the final day's play today with a lead of 85 runs and nine wickets in hand.

Hamish Rutherford was dismissed for 32, but both sides face a tough task to force a result on the slow, newly-laid pitch that has offered no assistance to either seam or spin bowlers.

'I was motivated by Watling'

Gazi, a 22-year-old off-spinner whose highest score in six previous Tests was 32, remained unbeaten on 101 after coming in to bat at number eight. He hit 10 boundaries and three sixes.

Gazi said he was inspired by New Zealand wicket-keeper Bradley-John Watling, who also batted at number eight in the first innings and scored 103.

"I was very motivated by Watling's innings," he said. "We were telling each other in the dressing room that if he can do this, why can't I?

"There is no help for the bowlers on this wicket. If a batsman plays with a straight bat, it is tough to get him out.”

Robiul Islam hit a career-best 33 before he was dismissed soon after lunch, caught off seamer Doug Bracewell, who returned as New Zealand's most successful bowler with three wickets for 96 runs.

"I am grateful to Robiul because he gave me good support," said Gazi. "At one stage, he came to me and said that he is holding his end up so that I can get the hundred.

"It is obviously a good feeling to score a century. I was excited even after getting to 50 because I had never scored one at the international level. So the hundred was just very special."

Frontline spinners Bruce Martin and Ish Sodhi both conceded over 100 runs, while part-timer Williamson went one for 83 in 27 overs.

Bangladesh added seven runs to their overnight score of 380 for 7 when they lost Abdur Razzak for seven, leg-before to seamer Trent Boult. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2013.

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