Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan’s form seems to have hit a purple patch as he steered Bangladesh to an historic series victory against New Zealand. Bangladesh have now an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series after they beat New Zealand in a thrilling encounter in the 4th ODI in Mirpur. This is Bangladesh’s first ever series victory over a full strength top class opposition.
Shakib played a scintillating knock of 106 and then came back to take 3 wickets with the ball as New Zealand fell 9 runs short of Bangladesh’s total despite Kate Williamson’s maiden century.
It was New Zealand all the way in the morning. After winning the toss and electing to field, the New Zealand bowlers struck early reducing Bangladesh to 44/3 in the 8th over until the Bangladeshi skipper walked out to the centre. He steadied the Bangladeshi ship and put on three half century partnerships with Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah as he raced away to his 5th ODI hundred maintaining a strike rate of over 90. There was a flurry of wickets in the batting powerplay which was taken in the 45th over and Bangladesh were bundled out within their stipulated overs leaving New Zealand with 242 to get to stay alive in the series.
The Kiwi batsmen who have been disappointing throughout the series crumbled yet again to 35/3 and with the left arm spinners putting the breaks on scoring they could only get to 80/5 by the 21st over. Kate Williamson, coming into this match with a batting average of 5, then put on a 70 run stand with all rounder Grant Elliot. Shakib got rid of Elliot and Mills fell trying to accelerate the scoring leaving Williamson, Nathan McCullum and the rest of the tail to get 70 runs of the last 10 overs. Williamson, batting with a runner got to his 100 in the 48th over but Shakib got Nathan McCullum and Tuffey off successive deliveries as Bangladesh celebrated a well deserved series victory.
The world No. 1 all rounder Shakib, who has been the star of the series, picked up yet another man of the match as Bangladesh will look for an unprecedented 4-0 whitewash when the two teams clash in Bangladesh’s first ever dead rubber as a victorious team on Sunday.
Tags: Bangladesh, Cricket, New Zealand, ODI Cricket, ODI Series, Shakib Al Hasan, Sports
