Cardiff: Shakib Al Hasan (114, 115b, 11×4, 1×6) and Mahmudullah (102 n o, 107b, 8×4, 2×6) script a dramatic turnaround as Bangladesh defeated New Zealand convincingly by five wickets in their last Group-A match here, Friday.
Chasing a modest target of 266, the Tigers were restricted to 33 for four after Mushfiqur Rahim got out in the 12th over. However, Shakib and Mahmudullah held their nerves to washout Kiwis’ hopes of qualifying to semifinals with an astounding 224-run fifth wicket partnership. Tim Southee (3/45) was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers.
Earlier, Mosaddek Hossain (3/13) triggered a New Zealand batting collapse towards the end with three scalps as Bangladesh restricted the Kiwis to 265 for eight. The 21-year-old batting all-rounder grabbed three wickets in the space of 12 balls to turn the match on its head.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza’s decision to introduce Mosaddek in 42nd over turned out to be a masterstroke as New Zealand could add just 62 runs from the final 10 overs. Apart from Mosaddek, Taskin Ahmed (2/43) bowled well for Bangladesh.
Electing to bat, The Kiwis began at a brisk pace with Martin Guptill (33, 35b, 4×4, 1×6) and Luke Ronchi (16, 18b, 2×4) finding the boundaries quite easily.
However it was the 83-run stand between skipper Kane Williamson (57, 69b, 5×4) and Ross Taylor (63, 82b, 6×4) that helped the Blackcaps set a challenging total despite the wickets tumbled in a heap at the slog overs. The duo added a crucial 83 runs for the third wicket.
The Kiwis were 201 for three in the 39th over and 203 for four at the end of the 40th over and they looked set to adding maximum runs in the final 10 overs but that never happened.
Brief scores
New Zealand 265/8 (Ross Taylor 63, Kane Williamson 57; Mosaddek Hossain 3/13) lost to Bangladesh 268/5 in 47.2 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 114, Mahmudullah 102 n o; Tim Southee 3/45) by five wickets.
Agencies
