ICC World Cup 2019: Match 9, New Zealand vs Bangladesh, Review – Kiwis edge out the Tigers in a thrilling encounter

Another day, another close game at the World Cup but this perhaps was the best one. Bangladesh very nearly pulled off their second win of the campaign and New Zealand very nearly bottled a huge advantage while chasing a moderate total. In a tournament where totals of 400 and 500 were expected, we witnessed another low-scoring thriller.

Kiwis won the toss and chose to bowl first on a fresh and new track. Their fast bowlers got some movement in the initial overs and not a lot of runs were scored off them. Nevertheless, Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar confidently batted through these overs and added 45 runs for the first wicket before both openers got out in quick succession.

Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim played an outstanding hand at this point and kept the scorecard ticking. Shakib continued his good form and scored some valuable runs for himself personally. He added a 50-run partnership with Mushfiqur and shortly after he was dismissed, Shakib got to his fifty alongside Mohammad Mithun.

Mithun and Shakib tried to give their innings some sort of momentum, but once the left-handed batsman was dismissed, there wasn’t a lot of spine left in them. The Kiwi bowlers came back very strongly and nearly got them bowled out for just over 200 runs. But Saifuddin had other ideas and chipped in with a much-needed cameo for the Tigers, which propelled them to a respectable total.

Bangladesh ended up scoring 244 runs before getting bowled out. Shakib registered a valiant 64 with the bat whilst Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers, who returned with figures of 4/47.

Bowlers very nearly pull off a stunning defence

Although Martin Guptill and Colin Munro got off to a blazing start in the first three overs, it was evident that once the slow bowlers would come in, runs wouldn’t come thick and fast. That’s exactly what happened when Shakib was introduced and after his heroics with the bat, he dismissed both the openers inside the powerplay to give advantage to the Tigers.

Mushfiqur Rahim squandered a great chance to dismiss Kane Williamson and that proved costly. The Kiwi skipper kept the scorecard ticking with a fantastic partnership with Ross Taylor and it was their partnership which eventually ensured their win. They added 105 runs for the 3rd wicket and when Williamson was dismissed for 40, New Zealand needed just 85 runs to win. In the same over where Williamson was outdone, Tom Latham too was sent back.

The fantastic bowling effort continued from the Tigers, who gave their everything to ensure they get a positive result. Ross Taylor was on his way to a hundred but couldn’t get there as Mosaddek Hossain pipped him with some smart bowling.  Colin de Grandhomme and Jimmy Neesham added 27 runs for the next wicket to take them much closer to a win.

Further drama unfolded when both these all-rounders were dismissed inside 4 balls and Saifuddin dismissed Matt Henry with New Zealand needing just six runs. Eventually, Mitchell Santner held the nerve and scored the winning runs for the Kiwis, who very nearly registered the first defeat of their campaign.

Brief Scores

Bangladesh: 244 all out in 49.2 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 64; Matt Henry 4/47)

New Zealand: 248/8 in 47.1 overs (Ross Taylor 82, Kane Williamson 40; Mosaddek Hossain 2/33)

Result: New Zealand won by 2 wickets

Man of the Match: Ross Taylor

Points Table: