Bangladesh took full control of the final Test against New Zealand after 15 wickets fell on an eventful opening day on Wednesday as the hosts pursue a first-ever Test series win against the Kiwis.

The home side were all out for 172 but hit back strongly to reduce New Zealand to 55/5 in 12.4 overs before bad light forced stumps.

Both teams’ batters struggled on a wicket where most of the balls kept low and the bounce was uneven. The New Zealand bowlers maintained a tight line and length to create pressure by conceding just eight runs in the first seven overs after Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto opted to bat first.

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (3/31) and off-spinner Glenn Phillips (3/65) shared six wickets to wreak havoc on the Bangladesh batting line-up. Ajaz Patel, another left-arm spinner, claimed 2/54 while skipper Tim Southee took one wicket.

Mushfiqur Rahim was the highest scorer with 35 before becoming the first Bangladesh batter to be dismissed for obstructing the field.

Bangladesh’s first boundary came in the eighth over when Zakir Hasan drove Patel through cover for four. The regular fall of wickets reduced Bangladesh to 47/4.

Mushfiqur and Shahadat Hossain, playing only his second Test, shared a 57-run partnership which eventually kept Bangladesh ahead on a tricky wicket.

The dismissal of Mushfiqur triggered another collapse, which began with Shahadat (31).

Written with PTI inputs