Dominant Bangladesh build lead over NZ on day three

Captain Mominul Haque has scored an impressive 88 to lead Bangladesh to a 73-run first-innings lead over New Zealand in the first Test in one of their best-ever performances away from home.

Mominul shared a 158-run partnership with wicketkeeper Liton Das, who made 86, steering Bangladesh on Monday to 6-401 at stumps on the third day at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, in reply to the hosts' 328.

Bangladesh have seldom been so commanding in New Zealand, where they have never won a match in any format, or anywhere outside the sub-continent.

They began the day 2-175 with Mahmudul Hasan Joy out early for 78 before Mominul and Das then combined in a partnership which occupied the next 52 overs and saw the tourists attain a first-innings lead 20 minutes after tea.

Trent Boult dismissed both Mominul and Das within four overs of each other in the final session to slightly diminish the tourists' commanding position.

"The boys really got stuck in," Bangladesh batting coach Ashwell Prince said.

"We had a good day yesterday but we had to follow it up with another good day and the guys did exactly that.

"There will be two or three guys disappointed that they didn't go on and get three figures."

Bangladesh lost Joy quickly to a tired shot, following a ball from Neil Wagner wide of off stump and struck the ball directly to Henry Nicholls at backward point.

But the captain and wicketkeeper dug in for more than four hours to ensure they capitalised on the efforts of the bowlers and of Joy and Nazmul Hossain Shanto.

Mushfiqur Rahim came and went quickly in the first session, bowled by Trent Boult for 12. From then the day belonged to Mominul and Das who were finally separated when Bangladesh were already 33 ahead.

Mominul reached his 15th Test half century from 147 balls and Das his 11th from 93 balls.

Mominul finally was out, trapped lbw by Boult on 88 and Das followed, caught by Tom Blundell from Boult's bowling not far from stumps.

Yasir Ali finished the day 11 not out and Mehidy Hasan 20, with Wagner (3-98) and Boult (3-61) the Kiwi wicket-takers.