Shakib (left) struck his seventh ODI century, while Mahmudullah scored his third
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Bangladesh looked dead in the water at 33/4, but hundreds from Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah scripted a miraculous five-wicket win that resulted in New Zealand being eliminated from the Champions Trophy.
Shakib, who scored 114, and Mahmudullah, who made an unbeaten 102, amassed a game-changing 224-run partnership, which is the highest stand for Bangladesh in ODI history, to leave their side on the brink of reaching the semi-finals.
In order to qualify for the last four, Bangladesh have to hope England beat Australia on Saturday. If Australia come out on top, they will go through to the semi-finals at the expense of Bangladesh.
Choosing to bat first, New Zealand made a brisk start to their innings before opener Luke Ronchi was dismissed by Taskin Ahmed for 16.
Martin Guptill, who was Ronchi’s opening partner, went on to score 33 before he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Rubel Hossain.
Captain Kane Williamson and veteran batsman Ross Taylor stabilised the innings with an 83-run partnership, during which Williamson surpassed his half-century, before he was run out by Shakib for 57, which came off 69 balls and included five boundaries.
Williamson scored his 31st ODI fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Taylor proceeded to make 63 off 82 deliveries, which included six boundaries, before he was sent packing by Taskin.
Taylor made his 37th half-century in ODI cricket
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Once Taylor was gone, the Black Caps began losing wickets at regular intervals, largely due to Mosaddek Hossain, and ended up finishing on 265/8 off their 50 overs.
Mosaddek was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Taskin snapped up two, and Rubel and Mustafizur Rahman chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 266 to win, Bangladesh found themselves in trouble right from the get-go as Tim Southee speared through their top order, taking out Tamim Iqbal on the second ball of the innings before going on to dismiss Sabbir Rahman and Soumya Sarkar.
With Bangladesh reeling at 12/3, Adam Milne joined the party and clean bowled Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 14, with an absolute peach of a delivery.
However, Shakib and Mahmudullah single-handedly turned the game on its head and put Bangladesh within touching distance of victory with an incredible 228-run partnership.
During the astounding turn of events, Shakib brought up his hundred, while Mahmudullah sailed past his fifty.
Just as Mahmudullah was on the verge of scoring his century, Shakib was clean bowled by Trent Boult for 114 off 115 balls, which included 11 boundaries and a six.
Mahmudullah and Mosaddek mopped up the remaining runs to complete an unforgettable win for Bangladesh.
Mahmudullah ended up making 102 not out, which came off 107 balls and included eight boundaries and two sixes.
Southee was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Milne and Boult claimed one wicket each.
Williamson was gutted about the loss, and said: “To be fair, we thought we had a scrappy total. The boys were outstanding with the new ball, but saying that it was a long way away from a perfect performance. The partnership under Shakib and Mahmudullah under pressure was outstanding. 285-290 would have been a par total. Bangladesh now have a chance to make the semi-final.”
Bangladesh captain Mahrafe Mortaza was over the moon to have won the match, and said: “It is a great feeling. Both times I have been here. I still remember 2005 against Australia and now against New Zealand. Overall, we are very much satisfied. First match we were not up to the mark with the ball. Today, the bowlers hit the right areas. Mosaddek’s three wickets was crucial. Neesham and Corey got out to him in New Zealand. Once the left-hander came, I went to the offspinner.
“The way Shakib and Mahmudullah batted was out of the world for me. We had the confidence once we beat New Zealand in Ireland. We are feeling great right now.”
Shakib was named Man of the Match, and said: “As Mahmudullah said we did not talk. We did not want to chase that down. We just wanted to bat 40 overs and see where we were. Winning a match in a ICC tournament in a big thing. From hereon, we can only go forward.”