Sabbir Hossain :
Bangladesh recorded a historic eight-wicket victory against New Zealand in the first Test of the two-match series on the fifth and final day at Mount Maunganui in New Zealand on Wednesday. It was for the first time Bangladesh won against the Kiwis in the away Test match.
Sent into bat first, New Zealand made 328 in the first innings on the second day (Sunday).
In reply, Bangladesh piled up a mammoth total of 458 in the first innings on the fourth day (Tuesday).
New Zealand were bundled out for 169 in the second innings on the fifth and final day. Thus, Bangladesh needed just 40 runs to win.
Right-arm pacer Ebadot Hossain played the key role to dismiss the home side’s second innings with a good support of right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed. Ebadot Hossain bowled extremely well and finished his superb spell as 21-6-46-6. Taskin Ahmed captured three wickets at the cost of 36 runs. Besides, Right-arm spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one wicket for 43 runs. Ebadot Hossain captured altogether seven wickets in the space of 121 runs. He was adjudged Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance.
Bangladesh romped home making 42 runs for the loss of two wickets on the final day.
New Zealand resumed their second innings with the over-night score of 147 for the loss of five wickets.
Ross Taylor and Rachin Ravindra resumed their second innings with the over-night score of 37 and six runs respectively.
Ross Taylor could add just three runs more before bowled out by right-arm pacer Ebadot Hossain when the hosts’ total was 154 for the loss of six wickets.
Sixth-down Kyle Jamieson was dismissed for
naught as he was caught at the midwicket by Shoriful Islam off Ebadot Hossain when the Kiwis’ score was 160 for the loss of seven wickets.
Rachin Ravindra (16) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Liton Das off Taskin Ahmed when the hosts’ total was 160 for the loss of eight wickets.
Eighth-down Tim Southee (0) was bowled out by Taskin Ahmed when the Black Caps’ score was 161 for the loss of nine wickets.
Number-11 batsman Trent Boult (0) was caught at the deep midwicket by substitute Taijul Islam off Mehidy Hasan Miraz and New Zealand’s innings came to an end.
Bangladesh had a sorrow start as opener Shadman Islam (3) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell off Tim Southee when Bangladesh’s score was just three.
Najmul Hossain Shanto (17) was caught at the slip by Ross Taylor off Kyle Jamieson when the tourists’ total was 34 for the loss of two wickets.
Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim guided their team to reach the victory target.
Mominul Haque remained unbeaten with 13 runs while Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with five runs.
Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee took one wicket each for 12 and 21 runs respectively.
