Despite a good start, Bangladesh failed to take the stranglehold on day one of the two-match series opening cricket Test against New Zealand, largely due to the rash shots played by the most of the players at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.
Bangladesh though crossed 300-run mark but lost all but one wicket as they reached 310-9 at stumps.
It could have a better day for them had they not squandered the good start provided by opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy who made team-best 86. Most of the batters meanwhile went past 20 but as has been the case, they couldn't convert it to a big knock.
New Zealand offspinner Glenn Phillips was the most successful bowler for his team, claiming 4-37 in his just second Test. Pacer Kyle Jamieson and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel snapped up two wickets apiece to complement his effort.
Joy shared stands of 39 for the first wicket with Zakir Hasan and 53 for the second with Najmul Hossain Shanto as Bangladesh made steady progress.
Shanto, who led the team in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, was dismissed just before lunch after playing an attacking 37 off 35 deliveries.
He was particularly harsh on left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, hitting him for three sixes to entertain the sparse crowd.
Patel, one of the only three bowlers ever to take 10 wickets in a single test innings, gave the visitors an early breakthrough when he dismissed Zakir Hasan for 12 in the 13th over with a delivery that turned sharply to rattle the stumps.
Shanto targeted Patel and opened with a six, lofting a delivery over mid-on. He used his feet effectively to put New Zealand's other spinners -- Ish Sodhi and Glenn Phillips on sword also.
But he paid for his aggressive batting when he charged a full toss from Philips and skied a catch to Kane Williamson in the deep, making the score 92-2.
Joy and Mominul appeared to take the stranglehold, defying the New Zealand bowlers who were relentless in attack.
Joy raised his fourth Test fifty, driving Patel for a boundary through cover off 93 balls. As the things clearly looked in Bangladesh's favour, Phillips made the crucial breakthrough when Mominul's attempted cut resulted in a catch behind the wicket, ending the 88-run partnership. Mominul also failed to make his start count as he scored 37 off 78 with four fours.
Joy fell in the next over as the dismissal of his partner seemed to have made an adverse impact on him.
After playing with soft hands throughout his stay, he went after on legspinner Shodi, only to be caught by Daryl Mitchell at slip.
With Bangladesh at 184-4, onus was on veteran Mushfiqur Rahim (12) to lead the side but he needlessly charged Patel to be caught by Williamson at deep mid-off.
Debutant Shahadat Hossain appeared to be solid against the spinners but the rash shots of Mehidy Hasan against pacer Kyle Jamieson, further deepened Bangladesh's crisis.
Shahadat was undone by a slower delivery of Phillips as he chipped straight to short midwicket after adding 24.
Phillips also dismissed Nurul Hasan Sohan who adopted the policy of counterattack but failed to execute it properly. Nurul hit five boundaries for his 28 ball-29.
New Zealand edged closer to wrap up Bangladesh's innings on day one but Shoriful Islam (13) and Taijul Islam (8) helped the side survive.
