I wanted to finish with a boundary, and I did it, says Bangladesh's Mosaddek Hossain

Bangladeshi all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain recollects how he targetted a boundary to finish things off in style against the mighty Kiwis in the virtual eliminator to seal the semis berth. On a pitch that wasn’t the best to bat on, Bangladesh had their plans intact. The pace department comprising Taskin Ahmed, Mashrafe Mortaza, and Mustafizur Rahman put up a lethal performance.

Taskin ended with figures of 2/43. He even clinched the crucial wickets of Luke Ronchi and Ross Taylor. The Tigers then put up an audacious batting show, pulling themselves back up after reeling on 33 runs for the loss of four wickets in their chase of 266.

Mosaddek came into the crease after the two most senior members of the side, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah added a record 224 for the fifth wicket. Both the batsmen struck centuries making life easy for the side and it looked quite simple at the end.

With that said, it was Mosaddek who struck the winning boundary, smashing an Adam Milne delivery from wide of off stump for a boundary through the third man region. Mosaddek reveals he still cherishes the moment.

Speaking to Dhaka Tribune in Birmingham, the 21-year-old was quoted as saying, “Honestly, when we were 33/4, I was ready and padded up in the dressing room. I can’t explain what actually went through all of our minds at that moment as we were struggling badly. I was mentally prepared that I have to go out anytime and look to bat as long as I could.”

“But Shakib and Riyad batted brilliantly. Slowly we started to believe that the game is still on.And once both the batsman reached their centuries, you know, I was so happy and thought that they will return only after finishing the game.”

New Zeland faltered having relied strongly on Kane Williamson to provide them with runs. And while the captain has done well for his side, the team has failed to rally around and ensure his good work doesn’t go to waste. The Kiwis failed to capitalize on the start that Williamson provided with a much-needed half-century.

Ross Taylor was involved in an 83-run stand alongside Williamson, an alliance that had given New Zealand hopes of finishing with a total close to 300. However, the Kiwis could only register 62 runs in the last 10 overs and lost four wickets in the process to give Bangladesh a way back into the game.