Bangladesh are on the brink of an innings defeat with New Zealand on course to wrap up the game and level the series on the third day of the Christchurch Test today.

Just when one might have thought that the Tigers have tackled the hardest part of the day, the visitors, from 105 for two at one stage, found themselves struggling on 128 for five in their second innings.

At Tea, Bangladesh are on 152 for five after 53 overs and still trail by 243 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Liton Das, batting in his typical graceful fashion, on 23 off 53 deliveries, will resume the third and final session of the day with fellow wicketkeeper batter Nurul Hasan Sohan, on 6 off 15 balls.   

An eventful 45th over from Neil Wagner led to Mominul Haque's departure, whose luck ran out when he drove Wagner into the safe hands of Ross Taylor, for a regulation catch at first slip. And two deliveries later, Yasir Ali was almost dismissed, as the team-highest scorer of the first innings scooped a typical, fiery Wagner bouncer towards the slip cordon.

However, Yasir did not survive Wagner's next over, as this time, the slip fielder Tom Latham did not have to chase the ball at all.

Wagner has been the pick of the bowlers for the Kiwis with his three wickets while Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee each scalped one.