An unprecedented triumph unfolded at McLean Park in Napier, as Bangladesh clinched a historic first ODI win on New Zealand soil on Saturday, December 23, putting an emphatic end to a painful losing streak. The chief architects of their memorable nine-wicket win were the pace-bowling partners Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Shoriful Islam, both of whom put on a devastating display, shredding the host team’s lineup and laying the foundation for a resounding victory.
Despite losing the series ahead of this match, the Bangla Tigers entered the fray with determination, aiming to recapture a sense of pride. The day’s proceedings began favorably for Bangladesh when Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and astutely chose to bowl first.
That decision quickly proved to be a masterstroke. Right from the outset, Tanzim and Shoriful extracted exceptional movement from the pitch, creating havoc and ensuring the Kiwi batsmen could never truly settle. The early stages of the innings signaled the end for the spectacular form of Will Young and captain Tom Latham, who had previously been central to New Zealand’s batting strength. Shoriful, specifically, was relentless, claiming these pivotal wickets, stopping Young at a patient 26 off 43 and Latham at a tentative 21 from 34 deliveries.
The New Zealand side struggled to find any sense of rhythm, with only Josh Clarkson and Adithya Ashok mustering double-digit scores beyond the dismissed pair. The innings crumbled, as New Zealand faltered to a meager total of 98 runs, wrapping up in just the 32nd over.
The cleanup of the tail end of the Kiwi batting lineup saw the emergence of another Bangladeshi hero – Soumya Sarkar, who bagged a remarkable 3 wickets for 18 runs in his six-over spell. His contribution, along with that of the pace duo, confirmed that the bowlers would surely be the ones lauded for this spectacular match.
Set with a modest target, Bangladesh kicked off their chase amidst unfortunate circumstances as Soumya Sarkar, the centurion from a previous match, faced difficulty with his eye and had to retire hurt. Despite this early setback, Anamul Haque Bijoy and the skipper built upon their promising start, combining for a 69-run partnership that dashed any sliver of hope for the New Zealand team to claw its way back into the game. Anamul’s exit at 37 did little to deter the inevitable, as Captain Shanto confidently struck the winning runs in the 16th over.
This win not only halted the 18-match losing streak against the Black Caps in their backyard but also demonstrated Bangladesh’s capacity to emerge from the shadows of previous disappointments. The match was less about the pursuit of victory and more a narrative of redemption, illustrating Bangladesh’s progress on the international stage.
In cricket news from around the globe:
– Enthusiasts are gearing up for the Boxing Day Test, with many pondering on the reasons for the match beginning on December 26.
– Injuries have marred the preparations for some teams, with Suryakumar Yadav ruled out of action against Afghanistan due to a setback while Hardik Pandya’s participation remains doubtful.
– The Caribbean Premier League might see a significant change with Jamaica Tallawahs possibly being replaced by an Antigua-based team.
This game at Napier will be etched in the annals of Bangladesh’s cricketing history, not merely as a win but as a moment of powerful cricketing expression, a declaration that Bangladesh, given the right day and conditions, can dismantle the might of any team, even away from home.
