Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan against all odds and came out victorious. Bangladesh won the match by 4 wickets. By winning Bangladesh have taken invaluable 10 World Super League Points. Afghanistan would rue the fact that they had the match in their bag, but a brilliant performance from the lower middle order proved to be the difference
Bangladesh started their run chase of 216 runs. Bangladesh lost half of their side for 39 runs. The left arm pacer was the wrecker in chief as he took 4 wickets in the phase of power-play. The veterans Shakib & Rahim got back in the pavilion. Afghanistan sensed that they have a solid chance to stamp their authority. They were defending a target of 216 runs. Picking up 5 wickets did the half job. Bangladesh were reduced to 45 runs for the loss of 6 wickets.
The lower order batter Afif Hossain along with the off-spin bowling bowler Mehidy Hasan were involved in a match-winning partnership of 174 runs. Both the batters showed immense mental application as one more wicket would mean that the run chase is done and dusted. Bangladesh would be proud that their No. 7 & No.8 batter won them a match. The left handed batter Afif Hossain scored 93 runs in 115 balls whereas the spinner Mehidy Hasan struck a knock of 81 runs in 120 balls
After choosing to bat first, Afghanistan had a mediocre power-play as they managed to score 41 runs for the loss of 1 wicket. Bangladesh’s bowlers were immaculate with the line and length as they didn’t allow any batter to settle down. The likes of Rahmat Shah & skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi got starts but failed to capitalize on it. Afghanistan was reduced to 102 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Surprisingly the pacers got the chunk of the wickets.
SNAPSHOT: Afghanistan’s batters losing wickets after a good show from Bangladesh’s bowlers.
Then came the flamboyant Najibullah Zadran. He had a wonderful outing with the dangerous Mohammed Nabi. The duo was involved in a 63 runs partnership. The dismissal of Nabi just opened the gates of wickets for Bangladesh. Najibullah at one end was playing attacking shots. He played a terrific knock of 67 runs in 84 balls. He along with the rest of the batters posted below par total of 215. Mustafizur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers as he took 3 wickets for 35 runs in his 9.1 overs. Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam took 2 wickets each and made sure that Bangladesh is chasing a decent total.
Bangladesh would be in a shock of happiness as this victory is one of their finest. On the other hand Afghanistan would be stunned. Afghanistan’s skipper Shahidi is responsible for team’s downfall. His captaincy wasn’t quite up to the mark.
Bangladesh have created history by defeating the World Test Champions, New Zealand. 1st Test Match was played at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. The Test Match was scheduled & played from 01st January – 5th January. For Bangladesh it is a phase of merriment as defeating New Zealand in their own backyard isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
SNAPSHOT: Mushfiqur Rahim & Skipper Mominul Haque are spellbound after defeating Kiwis
In 2020-21 season the likes of India & Pakistan were whitewashed & buried alive by Kiwis. 2022 Year has definitely brought smiles in Bangladesh after a disastrous 2021 T20 World Cup. Bangladesh was without the services of Tamim Iqbal & Shakib Al Hasan due to injury & personal reasons. On the other side New Zealand had a power-packed team except skipper Kane Williamson who is nursing elbow injury. Bangladesh was given a moderate target of 40 runs to chase. In attaining the target Bangladesh lost couple of wickets & hunted the total inside 17 overs.
SNAPSHOT: Mushfiqur Rahim thrilled after scoring the winning runs & reigniting Test Cricket.
The entire camp was jubilant as before the start of Day 5 the match was evenly balanced as New Zealand’s score was 17-5 (*exact score was 147-5). The veteran Ross Taylor & the Rising Rachin Ravindra were present. Before the commencement of 2022 Season Ross announced that he will retire at the end of the season.
Ebadot Hossain the speedster castled Taylor’s stumps & ignited a belief that Bangladesh have a chance to create “History”. Ross Taylor would be annoyed with himself that his lack of concentration & shot selection opened the gates for Bangladesh. After Ross’s dismissal the skipper Momiul Haque went into ultra -attacking mode as Ebadot & Taskin wrapped up the tail-enders. Ebadot took his maiden 5 wicket haul, most of the times he was looking for hitting immaculate line & lengths.
SNAPSHOT: Ebadot Hossain (saluting) is delighted after getting rid of the “Big Fish” Ross Taylor
Will Young the tyro cricketer was the only batter who went beyond half-century mark. He played a well defining knock of 69 runs in 172 balls.
New Zealand’s batters were so much drained while fielding that there was a lack of intent (*standing on the field for 176 overs may be the reason).
New Zealand had managed to score 328 runs while batting first. Shadman Islam & Mahmudul Hasan Joy exhibited appropriate brand of “TEST Cricket” as they blunted the new ball quite easily. Not a single batter scored a century, but there were ample contributions made:
Mahmudul Hasan Joy :78 runs in 228 balls
Najmul Hossain Shanto: 64 runs in 109 balls
Mominul Haque: 88 runs in 244 balls
Liton Das: 86 runs in 177 balls
Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson & Neil Wagner were exhausted as they tried all the tricks in the book, yet the batters were sturdy to pull of a heist. Bangladesh managed to put a humongous total score of 458 runs. A lead of 130 runs was invaluable. Each & every fast bowler had to bowl multiple & long spells. The pick of the bowlers was the thunderous Trent Boult who took 4 wickets.
Bangladesh had opted to bowl first as there was a tinge of grass present. The left arm fast bowler Shoriful got rid off the big fish Tom Latham. Will Young the novice opener made the most of the opportunity as he displayed complete mental application; he scored 52 runs in 135 balls.
The multi-talented Devon Conway once again proved his worth by notching up a brilliant century of 122 runs in 227 balls. It looks like Devon Conway is a master of all the formats, as he had played a crucial role in T20I World Cup (*Semi Final knock against England of 46 runs in 38 balls)
SNAPSHOT: Devon Conway cherishing the moment by scoring his 2nd century & 1st at New Zealand
The experienced campaigner Henry Nicholls played a terrific knock of 75 runs in 127 balls. The specialty of Nicholls’s knock was that he always wanted to score, irrespective of the runs. There was a surprise element present this time, lower-middle order & tail-enders didn’t contribute. The likes of Jamieson & Southee are expected to contribute at-least 50 runs amongst themselves.
New Zealand posted a decent total of 328 runs. The runs where hard to come due to the impeccable bowling of Bangladesh’s pacers & spinners. Shoriful Islam was the pick of the bowlers. He was well accompanied by the crafty off spinner Mehidy Hasan who also took 3 scalps.
TEST CRICKET
2022 has started with a Bang & with an Upset as who would have even thought that Bangladesh would defeat New Zealand. Bangladesh’s playing 11 was quite young irrespective of experience. This match literally could be said as “David & the Goliath”, Kiwis are the true embodiment of the game.
Bangladesh have made a statement that they are not a team who just visits a nation & goes back empty handed. Not to forget Bangladesh have bagged 12 WTC (World Test Championship) Points. New Zealand would be shell-shocked that how come Bangladesh defeated them. New Zealand are yet to win a Test Match in 3 Test Matches (* 2 against India in November-December).
New Zealand are placed at 6th position with 4 points
Bangladesh is placed at 9th position with 12 points
The argument of Kane Williamson’s absence is plausible. Black Caps would like to avoid the ignominy as loosing a series would be dreadful.
Before the series Mominul Haque was seen saying that it’s difficult to trust the process without result. Bangladesh defeated New Zealand as they had the players to succeed, it is often said that the Board & Management should trust the players, which BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) did.
The entire Cricketing Fraternity (BCCI, CA & ECB) would be jolted as well as thrilled that one more nation has joined the league of Legends. The beauty of “Test Cricket” is that you can make a comeback on any given day. Now the pressure is on New Zealand as their throne can be snatched away, whereas Bangladesh would look to go one step ahead & dominate New Zealand.
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