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| Bangladesh superstar Shakib Al Hasan pulls one on way scoring an enterprising 51-ball 58 in the first one-day international against New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday |
Daniel Vettori's pre-series prediction came true as Shakib Al Hasan almost single handedly guided Bangladesh to a nine-run victory in the rain-interrupted first one-day international of the five-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
"Shakib is the main threat for us", was the words from the New Zealand skipper and the world's number one all-rounder was simply brilliant in scripting Bangladesh's second victory against the Kiwis in front of 14,000 spectators who braved the scorching heat.
Speaker Advocate Abdul Hamid congratulated the Bangladesh team on their brilliant victory.
Shakib's well-composed 51-ball 58 that contained eight sweetly-timed boundaries gave Bangladesh a reasonable total of 228 on a slow track and then his four-wicket burst made sure New Zealand were restricted to 200 for 8 after the Duckworth-Lewis method revised the target at 210 runs from 37 overs.
The target was revised after rain stopped play for nearly one hour with New Zealand scoring 85 for four in 15 overs and Bangladesh grabbed the opportunity with both hands despite some sloppy fielding.
Shakib not only contributed with the bat and the ball but also led the team brilliantly in the absence of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza who left the field in the very third over after twisting his ankle while releasing the first delivery of his second over and took no further part in the match.
Bangladesh didn't feel his absence as the slow bowlers including Naeem Islam, who claimed the vital wickets of Ross Taylor and Daniel Vettori at crucial moments, provided their best support to Shakib.
New Zealand got off a flying start riding on Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder's scintillating batting as the pair contributed 53 runs in 6.5 overs before Shakib dismissed Ryder for 21.
The home side tightened their grip on the match when Shakib sent back dangerman McCullum and Grant Elliot in one over just before rain stopped play. McCullum hammered 61 off 45 balls with seven fours and two big sixes before being bowled while Elliot was trapped in front for naught.
Vettori, who frustrated Bangladesh on their last trip, joined Taylor to take away the Tigers' initiatives, but Naeem broke the 50-run fifth wicket partnership by removing Vettori (24), who played a paddle sweep against a full toss on middle straight to fine leg where Junaed Siddiqui made no mistake to bring joy to the local crowds.
New Zealand's misery mounted when Shanan Stewart fell victim to a run out and off-spinner Naeem killed the Kiwis' hopes by trapping Taylor, who hit a 56-ball 42 that saw one four and a six, in front.
The match reached its climax when New Zealand required 21 runs from the last two overs, but Shakib conceded only three runs in the penultimate over to all but confirm the home side's victory. Nazmul Hossain then bowled the last over brilliantly before he cut his finger on the last ball of the match.
Earlier Imrul Kayes and Shahriar Nafees made a slow but steady start after Mashrafe had decided to bat after winning the toss.
Agonisingly all the top-order batsmen including Nafees, who returned to one-day cricket after a two-and-a-half year gap, got starts but failed to carry on to put up a fighting total on the board.
Nafees was dismissed for 35 while his partner Kayes added 16.
Junaed (30), Rokibul Hasan (21) and Mushfiqur Rahim were the other batsmen who threw away their wickets after settling in.
Shakib's stroke-filled innings and Mashrafe's 11-ball 15 however gave the hosts a total to defend.
Kyle Mills was the most successful Kiwi bowler by picking up three wickets while Andy Mckay, Vettori and Ryder took two wickets each.
Bangladesh's celebration however was marred for the injuries to captain Mashrafe, who is unlikely for the remaining matches of the series, and pacer Nazmul, who is going to miss the next two games.
