CT 2017, Match 9, Bangladesh v New Zealand: CT Player of the Match – Shakib Al Hasan

After a lean patch in international cricket, Shakib Al Hasan announced his return to form with a memorable century against New Zealand. In the end, Bangladesh sauntered in a chase of 266 to win the game by 5 wickets with 16 balls to spare. The win was set up by one of the best rearguard partnerships one could see between Mahmudullah and Shakib, who both added a record 224 run stand for the 5th wicket.

Bangladesh’s chase hit a brick wall when Tim Southee struck with the new ball to pick three wickets. Tamim Iqbal, who made a century and a brilliant 95 in the first two games, was out on the second ball of the innings. Losing him early was a big jolt as he was the man to make early headway into the chase. All eyes were on the pair of Mushfiqur and Shakib when they got together at the score of 12 for 3. Bangladesh further stuttered when they lost Mushfiqur who was bowled by Adam Milne in the 12th over. The Tigers were down and out at 33 for 4 but their best batsman Shakib was out there along with Mahmudullah, who loves batting in the ICC events.

The Shakib-Mahmudullah show

Both played cautiously early on as the Kiwi bowlers were swinging the ball, which has been a rarity in this tournament. It was Mahmudullah who started the spectacular show with the bat when he struck Neesham for a huge six over deep square leg followed by a controlled pulled shot which went for four in the 19th over.

Seeing Mahmudullah batting so well, Shakib too started playing neat shots. Both added 50 runs in just 45 balls which shifted the pendulum slightly in their favour. When Shakib guided Milne to an easy single to the third man fielder, he raised his bat for a well made fifty which came off just 62 balls. That single also raised the 100 of the partnership. With 127 runs needed from 20 overs, Bangladesh were in with a great chance to win.

The knock-out punch

Shakib wasn’t in the mood to throw it away after playing wonderfully well. He is experienced enough to acknowledge that a chase needs to be taken deep. Williamson got himself on to get a wicket and both were smart enough to target the Kiwi skipper’s part-time off-spin. His second over resulted in 13 runs, where Mahmudullah hit a six and Shakib smashed a four down the ground. Slowly Bangladesh started believing, though the job was only half done.

With just 70 to win off the last 10, Kiwis got Southee back in desperate need of wickets. Shakib wasn’t going to get bogged down by the Kiwi strike bowler and cut him past cover for four off a slower ball. From then on, it was only Bangladesh’s game to lose.

The Bangladesh all-rounder, in not the most controlled hooks which went over the keeper for six, raised his 7th ODI hundred and by a distance, his most famous one. The next two balls faced by him were clobbered by the 30-year old for boundaries as he wanted to finish it in a hurry. He went for a repeat but this time was castled by Boult. The entire crowd stood up to applaud one of the greatest hundreds ever registered by a Bangladeshi in ODIs.

With just 9 needed to win, Mahmudullah completed the formalities thereby completing his century as well. Mahmudullah and Shakib were involved in a 224-run stand which is the highest partnership ever for any wicket in the history of Bangladesh cricket.

Shakib made 114 from 115 balls and is the CT Player of the Match with a rating of 5/5 for his outstanding show with the bat and a decent performance with the ball where he returned with 0/52 off 10 overs.