New Zealand v Bangladesh: Key Plays
With Bangladesh 33-4 chasing New Zealand’s 265, Shakib Al Hasan (114) and Mahmudullah (102*) put on 224 to give the underdogs a famous victory.
MOMENT OF THE DAY
Although its batsmen were the heroes, Bangladesh performed superbly with the ball and in the field in order to restrict New Zealand to 265/8. Captain Mashrafe Mortaza was 0/45 from his 10 overs, but it was in his decision-making that he made the biggest impact: he bravely opted to bring on his sixth-choice bowling option – the off-spin of Mosaddek Hossain – in the 42nd over. If New Zealand saw it as their chance to break the shackles, they were wrong. Mosaddek took 3-13 from his three overs, dismissing Neil Broom, then Corey Anderson first ball, and Jimmy Neesham, with accurate flat ones that proved very hard to hit. His introduction was an inspired piece of captaincy.
MAN OF THE DAY – BANGLADESH: SHAKIB AL HASAN
It’s tough to choose between the two star men for Bangladesh – whose 224-run partnership won the match for their team, but the innings served as yet another reminder of Shakib’s undeniable status as a champion cricketer. With his side deep in trouble after the four early wickets, the classy all-rounder came out calm yet aggressive and, most of all, determined. He cut and drove and nudged and slapped his way to a glorious 114 from 115. What a player he is.
MAN OF THE DAY – NEW ZEALAND: TIM SOUTHEE
With New Zealand defending a below-par total it needed its main strike bowler to make an impact, and that’s exactly what Tim Southee did. Once again the Cardiff pitch seemed to offer more to the side bowling second, as Southee got the new ball to swing and seam more than in any other match of the tournament so far. His three-wicket haul had Bangladesh on the ropes until that remarkable partnership.
SHOT OF THE DAY
For New Zealand, it was Martin Guptill. First ball of the fifth over of the day, Bangladesh’s senior seamer Mortaza is bowling. He sends down a ball of reasonable line and length around the top of off stump as he’s been doing with some success up until now. But Guptill isn’t having it. He takes a purposeful stride and a beautifully free swing to send the ball sailing over the long-off boundary rope and out of the ground into the River Taff. There’s a lengthy delay to account for the lost ball…
But for Bangladesh, it was one of those guys… With Shakib and Mahmudullah tantalisingly close to a famous win – needing a run a ball for the last seven overs – New Zealand turned to a short-ball attack from Jimmy Neesham. Mahmudullah, on 92, responded by shuffling to the leg side and delicately lifting the first of the bouncer barrage directly over wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi’s head for a cool and classy four. He was on his way to a famous century – and victory.
BALL OF THE DAY
With the new ball seriously talking, it was Tim Southee who took an early three-wicket haul. But the delivery of the day was actually delivered by his partner, Adam Milne, who cut Bangladesh No. 4 Mushfiqur Rahim in half with a quick straight ball that jagged away and was too good even to take the edge. Sometimes you just have to say ‘well bowled’.
STAT OF THE DAY
If we take the 224-run partnership as read… coming into this match, New Zealand’s top score of the tournament from outside of its top four was 18. Here, No. 5 Neil Broom made that 36, which remains a disappointing stat that goes some way to explain why New Zealand has been unable to qualify for the semi-finals. Kane Williamson has been brilliant, but his team needed more depth in order to compete over the full length of a tournament.