Tigers pull off historic win by five wickets
Bangladesh were 12 for three at one stage, then they were 33 for four, and for all money their Champions Trophy dream seemed to have ended. But the man with a taste for the big stage, Shakib Al Hasan, joined forces with the Mahmudullah Riyad, the calmest mind and most supple wrists in Bangladesh's line-up to first milk the bowling and then dominate in a flawless 225-run fifth-wicket partnership that delivered victory by five wickets with 16 balls to spare.
Shakib scored 114 off 115 balls with 11 fours and a six, and was out only when victory was almost assured, with just nine runs needed off 21 deliveries. Mahmudullah was unbeaten on 102 off 107, which he scored with the help of eight fours and two sixes.
47.2 -- An edge from Mosaddek Hossain flies to the third man fence, and brings with it a magnificent and barely conceivable five-wicket win over New Zealand with 16 balls left
46.6 Mahmudullah Riyad also completes the century, his one coming off 107 balls. He reaches the landmark in some style as well, hitting Trent Boult for four. It has been a brilliant knock, paced to perfection and the perfect foil for Shakib Al Hasan at the other end. Mahmudullah dealt with everything that the Kiwis threw at him and never seemed bothered. He and Shakib have made a mockery of the start, when they were 24 for four.
46.3 Shakib hits Trent Boult for two consecutive boundaries, but then goes for one two many and has his stumps rattled. Shakib came down the track and attempted a heave, but completely missed the ball, which rattles into his off-stump. [Shakib Al Hasan b Boult 114 (115b 11x4 1x6)]
Mosaddek Hossain, who put the brakes on the Kiwis with three wickets in the first innings, comes in to finish the match,
45.5 Shakib Al Hasan has hooked Adam Milne for a huge six over the keeper's to bring up his century off 111 balls. He came into the game on the back of some poor performances and questions about his approach lingering, but he has put all that to bed with an imperious knock. Measured, calm and never in trouble, the left-hander has hit a fabulous knock.
END OF OVER 45
Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad have rewritten the record books on Bangladesh partnerships, reaching milestone after milestone, including a 200-run partnership, as the Tigers reach 240 for four at the end of 45 overs.
Bangladesh are making their way to a first Champions Trophy win over a team other than Zimbabwe. They now require 26 off 30 balls.
The required run-rate is has dropped below six and now the pair at the crease will have to keep their heads, as they have so brilliantly done so far, and see out the rest of the game.
Both batsmen are also making their way towards hundreds.
Mahmudullah Riyad is unbeaten on 98 off 104, while Shakib Al Hasan is on 98 off 108.
44.1 Mahmudullah Riyad and Shakib Al Hasan bring up their 200-run partnership. They may go on to get individual hundreds as well, but none of it would have been possible without the partnership.
41.3: Another partnership record crumbles. This stand of 179 is the highest by a Bangladeshi duo in their ODI history.
40.5: Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad have set another record. They have the highest partnership by any duo at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. The previous highest of 170 was between Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid against England in September 2011.
END OF OVER 40
Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad have broken two records and reached the 150-run mark as Bangladesh reached 196 for four at the end of 40 overs, with the Tigers requiring 70 runs with 60 balls remaining.
The duo now have the highest fifth-wicket partnership in Champions Trophy history, overtaking the 137 posted by Brian Lara and Runako Morton in their 10-run win over Australia in the 2006 edition of the tournament. They also have the highest partnership by a Bangladeshi duo against New Zealand, overtaking Naeem Islam and Mushfiqur Rahim's 154-run stand in October 2013.
Bangladesh are in a very good position at this time. They have six wickets in hand, although only two of them can bat well, and two set batsmen at the crease. New Zealand meanwhile seem to be running out of ideas, but Tim Southee is being introduced to bowl the 41st over to turn the tide.
37.4: Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad's is the highest partership by a Bangladeshi duo against New Zealand, surpassing Mushfiqur Rahim and Naeem Islam's 154 against the Kiwis in Dhaka on 29 October, 2013.
36.6: Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmullah Riyad's partnership has reached the 150-mark. It has been a sublime partnership between the two and a pleasure to watch. Now they must ensure that they stick around for as long as possible and get Bangladesh home.
35.4: Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad have just put on the highest partnership for the fifth wicket in the Champions Trophy.
The previous highest of 137 belonged to Brian Lara and Runako Morton, whose efforts helped the Caribbean Kings to a 10-run win over Australia in 2006 edition of the tournament.
The biggest partnership by a Bangladeshi duo came against England in the opening match of this iteration, when Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim put on 166 at The Oval. That is also the largest partnership so far in the 2017 Champions Trophy.
END OF OVER 35
Trent Boult was introduced to the attack in the 31st over, but he failed to break Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad's partnership as Bangladesh reached 169 for four.
Bangladesh require 97 from 15 overs. Shakib is batting on 68 off 82 balls with six fours, while Mahmudullah is 63 off 70 balls with four fours and two sixes.
While Boult's three overs went for 13, Kane Williamson came on for an over as well but chose not to continue after being pummelled for 13. Shakib hit a fine four before Mahmudullah came on the front foot and hit a towering six.
30.6: Mahmudullah Riyad completed a fantastic half-century, bringing up his 50 off 58 balls. He and Shakib are going great guns at the moment and seem completely at ease on the crease.
END OF OVER 30
Bangladesh continued to creep towards victory, reaching 139 for 4 in 30 overs with Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad, who completed a 100-run partnership, standing strong at the crease.
They require another 127 with 20 overs remaining but 8 of those will be allocated to Tim Southee and Trent Boult, so the equation will not be as simple as it seems.
Although Bangladesh have six wickets in hand, the lack of batsmen is also a big concern for the Tigers at the moment. The next, Mosaddek Hossain, is their last proper batsman and, barring Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, there are no others who can consistently get bat on ball.
28.6: Shakib Al Hasan reached his 50 off 63 balls with a single off Adam Milne. The left-hander has played a calm, assured innings with the rest of the team falling to pieces around him. With that single, he and Mahmudullah Riyad take their partnership past the 100-run mark as Bangladesh continued to inch towards the required target. Shakib is batting on 48, while Mahmudullah is unbeaten on 44.
END OF OVER 25
Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad soldiered on as Bangladesh reached 109 for four after 25 overs.
The pair have been doing superbly so far, picking out the bad balls and rotating the strike as required. Shakib has 45 off 55 with five fours, while Mahmudullah has 33 off 37 with three fours and that one huge six.
The Kiwis are still keeping Trent Boult and Tim Southee in their back pocket, and will be that someone can break this partnership before releasing the pair to wipe up the rest. Whether that is the right idea or not, the Kiwis will need to break this partnership or their good start will not count for much.
END OF OVER 20
That's that, not even rain can save Bangladesh now.
Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudllah Riyad however, might still be able to. The two are doing quite well out there and negotiating the Kiwi attack well as the Tigers reach 85 for four.
They have brought up their 50-run partnership off nine overs. Shakib is on 24 off 20 with four fours, while Mahmudullah has reached 24 off 20, with two fours a huge six.
Trent Boult and Tim Southee have not bowled for the past five overs, but the Tigers are still well behind the run rate and with Mosaddek Hossain the only one shielding the team from the delicate tail, Bangladesh will have to be very careful with how they play out the rest of the game.
END OF OVER 15
Mushfiqur Rahim departed in the 11th over, diminishing Bangladesh's already slim hopes of a result in their final Champions Trophy Group A match against New Zealand as Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad took the Tigers to 53 for four after 15 overs.
With the fourth ball of the 11th over, Adam Milne destroyed Mushfiqur's stumps with a 146kmph delivery that left the Bangladeshi keeper with no chance whatsoever.
Mushfiqur's departure -- which means this is the first time in over five years that Bangladesh's top four batsmen have added 25 or less runs in an ODI -- may perhaps spell the beginning of the end for Bangladesh, who have just one senior batsman -- Mahmudullah Riyad -- left in the team.
He has come out to the middle to join Shakib Al Hasan and will be followed by all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain. After that it's just the four pacers and none of them except Mashrafe Bin Mortaza possess the ability to even put bat on ball.
The bowling on the day has been brilliant by both sides, but it's the Kiwis who have put on a masterclass. Mashrafe said before the match that Bangladesh would have to take their chances, but the masterful Kiwi attack has given them none and the Tigers face another first-round exit from the Champions Trophy.
11.4 Almost all hopes of a Bangladesh miracle faded away as Mushfiqur Rahim as Adam Milne blitzes the Bangladeshi's stumps with a 146kmph delivery, straight through the defences and shatters the stumps. [Mushfiqur Rahim b Milne 14 (34b 2x4 0x6)]
END OF OVER 10
Trent Boult and Tim Southee continued to turn the screw on Bangladesh as the conceded just 12 runs while bowling in tandem for the past overs as Bangladesh reached 23 for three at the end of 10 overs.
It was reminiscent of the previous spell which the duo bowled, minus the three wickets of course, but it continued to ramp up the pressure on the Tigers.
Things could have been even worse, had Ross Taylor not dropped Mushfiqur Rahim at first slip. Boult looked set to reap the rewards of his fantastic bowling but Taylor dropped a simple chance to his left.
Mushfiqur and Shakib Al Hasan were playing sensibly and digging in for a long innings as they would be expected to. Mushfiqur is on eight off 26 balls, while Shakib is on two off nine.
They are on thin ice and will have to be careful with their wickets as there is only one senior batsman to follow them: Mahmudullah Riyad. Mosaddek Hossain, who claimed three wickets, is also waiting for his turn, but beyond that things look bleak for a Bangladesh team that have opted for four pacers today.
Southee and Boult are halfway through their quotas, so perhaps Bangladesh are holding out to attack the bowlers that follow and keep up with the run rate, but the most precious commodity for the Tigers will be wickets.
END OF OVER 5
Bangladesh made a disastrous start as to their must-win match against New Zealand as the in-form Tamim Iqbal departed for a duck off the second ball of the innings, a good length delivery from Tim Southee. Things only got worse from that point as Sabbir Rahman was caught behind for eight and Soumya Sarkar departed for three to leave Bangladesh at 12 for three after five overs.
Sabbir came in and seemed unperturbed by the hiccup, immediately dispatching Milne for two boundaries. The 25-year-old was hoping to vindicate his selection at the number three spot here today but he did not score a single run since then as he departed for eight. The right-hander took a hard hit to the ribs after Trent Boult breached his defences, and he nicked behind to the keeper in the next over off a Tim Southee delivery.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who is celebrating his 30th birthday today, came on and joined Soumya, who had been taking it slow. The southpaw scored three off 13 balls before being trapped in front by Southee.
The Southee-Boult partnership has been doing a tremendous job so far. Boult has been a thorn in the Tigers' side, denying them runs with his disciplined bowling, while Southee has been reaping the rewards of the amplified pressure from the other end, having already picked up three wickets.
Boult has given away just two runs in his two overs, while Southee picked up his wickets for 10 runs.
Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur will need to settle and build a partnership here or things could go horribly wrong.
4.3: Tim Southee gets Soumya Sarkar off the third ball of the fifth over. Another good length delivery that jagged back in comfortably beat Soumya's bat to trap him in front.
2.3: Sabbir Rahman fails to vindicate his selection at number three as he nicks a Tim Southee ball to the wicketkeeper. He had taken a sharp ball from Trent Boult to the ribs just a few balls before and scored no runs since, departing for 8. The birthday boy Mushfiqur Rahim walks in hoping to anchor the innings and take Bangladesh close to the total. [Sabbir Rahman c Ronchi b Southee 8 (9b 2x4 0x6)]
Tamim Iqbal lbw b Southee 0 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Bangladesh innings
Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar stride onto the pitch under clear blue skies to begin Bangladesh's chase. Let's get into it.
End of first innings
New Zealand 265/8
New Zealand got off to a blazing start with Martin Guptill hitting the ball to all corners of the field and they will be very disappointed with their total after the 50 overs.
The Tigers staged a brilliant comeback, which started with the crucial wicket of Kane Williamson courtesy of a run out to bring the score to 153 for three. That dismissal changed the complexion of the game and shifted the momentum.
Although the Kiwis attempted to rebuild, things got worse as they lost another set batsman, Ross Taylor, in the 39th over with the score at 201.
In the last eleven-odd overs, the Kiwis managed just 64 runs, dealing a huge blow to their chances in this must-win game.
Young Mosaddek Hossain had the time of his life, claiming three wickets in the span of two overs and killed New Zealand's hopes of getting anywhere near the 300-run mark. He got rid of the Kiwis' remaining proven batsman Neil Broom, Corey Anderson and James Neesham.
Rubel bowled a brilliant 48th over, where he conceded just three runs, which amplified the pressure and allowed Mustafizur to pick up his first wicket in the Champions Trophy the next over as he had Adam Milne clean bowled.
The game is far from over and the Tigers' last match against Australia is proof of that, but they will be hoping to put up a much-improved showing and hold on to that chance of making it to the semifinal of the tournament for the first time in history.
48.3: Mustafizur Rahman destroys Adam Milne's stumps to claim his first wicket in the Champions Trophy. [AF Milne b Mustafizur Rahman 7 (8b 0x4 0x6)]
45.6: Mosaddek decieves James Neesham, who comes down the track and is stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps. Once beaten, Neesham did not even bother to try and turn back. [Neesham st †Mushfiqur Rahim b Mosaddek Hossain 23 (24b 3x4 0x6) SR: 95.83]
End of over 45
New Zealand had a terrible time in the past five overs, courtesy of Mosaddek Hossain's brilliant double strike as they stuttered to 260 for six. Although they managed 30 runs in that time, the losses of Corey Anderson and Neil Broom will surely be felt in the death overs.
Mosaddek had a slice of luck in Broom's dismissal, who went for a slog but could only edge to Tamim, but there was nothing lucky about the beautiful ball he bowled to trap Anderson in front.
James Neesham is the last remaining proper batsman. He is on 22 off 20 balls. Mitchell Santner joins him at the crease and is on three off five.
Rubel and Mosaddek bowled two of the last five, while Mashrafe bowled the other.
43.3: A double-strike for Mosaddek. He traps Corey Anderson in front, and after a short chat with Neesham, Anderson opts for the review. However, his argument holds no water. It pitched and hit in line and was going on to take the stumps. Umpire stays with his decision and Bangladesh are on the ascendancy. [(CJ Anderson lbw b Mosaddek Hossain 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)]
43.1: Neil Broom attempts a slog, but it takes the edge and finds Tamim Iqbal at backward point. New Zealand are 228 for 5. [NT Broom c Tamim Iqbal b Mosaddek Hossain 36 (40b 3x4 0x6)]
End of over 40
Bangladesh came back into the match and assumed control before the 40-over mark as the set Ross Taylor departed for an 82-ball 63 to leave the Kiwis at 203 for four after 40 overs.
Taylor, who attempted to play a predetermined shot over fine-leg, hit the ball up into the air and into the hands of Mustafizur Rahman, to give Taskin Ahmed his second wicket of the game.
Neil Broom is batting on a 29-ball 31, while James Neesham is the new batsman at the crease, having played just five balls. Much has been written about the Black Caps' lower middle order's poor performances recently and Bangladesh will be hoping to put the pressure on them and turn the screw.
Mustafizur and Taskin bowled in tandem over the past five overs and did a brilliant job, giving away just 24 runs between them in that timeframe. The bowling has also looked quite dangerous, but the overs are running out for them. Mustafizur has three left while Taskin has two, which means that Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Rubel Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan will be left to bowl most of the last ten overs.
38.4 Ross Taylor attempts to play Taskin Ahmed over fine-leg, but doesn't get enough on the ball, which floats high in the air and comes back into the hands of a waiting Mustafizur Rahman. [Ross Taylor c Mustafizur Rahman b Taskin Ahmed 63 (82b 6x4 0x6)]
End of over 35
Ross Taylor's fifty was driving the New Zealand innings towards a big total as they were ideally poised for a late-overs push at 178/3 after 35 overs. Taylor was batting on 51 off 69 deliveries while his partner Neil Broom wasted no time in racing to 18 off 19 deliveries.
End of over 30
Kane Williamson fell for 59 in the last ball of the 30th over as New Zealand reached 152 for three. The New Zealand skipper was run out at the non-striker's end after a confusion with his partner Taylor as Shakib smartly took the bails off on a throw from Mosaddek Hossain.
29.6 Kane Williamson is run out [KS Williamson run out 57 (69b 5x4 0x6) SR: 82.60]
End of over 25
Kane Williamson brought up his fifty as New Zealand reached 134 for two at the end of the 25th over. The New Zealand skipper's presence at the crease is ominous for Bangladesh, and things cannot be expected to turn for the better unless his wicket is taken.
Williamson scored exactly 50 from 58 balls. At the other end, Ross Taylor was batting on 33 from 39 balls.
Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan bowled in tandem for the past five overs as Bangladesh tried to stem the flow of runs, but Rubel Hossain was brought on for the 25th over, perhaps a move showing how desperately the Tigers want the crucial wicket which will break this blossoming partnership.
End of over 20
The Black Caps reached 109 for 2 at the end of twenty overs with skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor still going strong.
Shakib Al Hasan bowled three of the past five overs while Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain bowled one each.
Williamson was on 37 off 42 balls while Taylor was on 21 off 25.
End of over 15
The Kiwis were going strong, reaching 82 for two at the end of the 15th over. Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed bowled the past five overs in tandem, with the former picking up the wicket of the dangerous Martin Guptill in the 12th over with a lethal delivery.
Ross Taylor and skipper Kane Williamson were at the crease as Shakib Al Hasan prepared to bowl his first over in the 16th.
Williamson has begun to dig in and is seemingly settling in for a long innings. He has made 22 off 30 with three fours, while Taylor has made nine off seven balls with two fours.
Another wicket, preferably that of Williamson, would give Bangladesh a solid chance at this game, especially with the shortcoming in New Zealand's lower-middle order in the recent past.
12.5: Rubel Hossain traps Martin Guptill in front with a venomous delivery. [MJ Guptill lbw b Rubel Hossain 33 (35b 4x4 1x6)]
End of over 10
New Zealand reached 60 for the loss of one wicket at the end of 10 overs. Martin Guptill remained aggressive although he cooled down a touch after an explosive start. He was unbeaten on 33 off 31 balls, while skipper Kane Williamson provided support from the other side with a run-a-ball 10.
Taskin Ahmed took the wicket of Luke Ronchi off the first ball of his second over, while captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has already worked his way through five overs in which he conceded 26. Mustafizur went for 19 in two rather expensive overs as he was firmly in Guptill's line of fire.
Rubel Hossain will be brought on the bowl the 11th.
7.1 Taskin Ahmed strikes with the first ball of his second over, removing Luke Ronchi for an 18-ball 16. Ronchi swung at a back of the hand delivery, harmlessly chipping the ball to the hands of Mustafizur Rahman at mid-on.
END OF OVER 5: Openers Martin Guptill and Luke Ronchi took New Zealand to 31 at the end of five overs in their final Champions Trophy Group A match against Bangladesh in Cardiff.
Mustafizur Rahman was particularly targeted by Guptill, leaking 19 runs in his two overs including eight off his first two balls. Mashrafe gave away 12 runs in three overs, but his third over went for 11 runs.
Guptill, the aggressor as always, reached 24 off 20 balls, hitting 3 fours and a huge six off Mashrafe in the fifth over which led to the ball being lost. Ronchi was on 7 off 10.
Welcome to our live report of Bangladesh's ultra-important Champions Trophy Group A game against New Zealand. This game is a virtual quarterfinal, or more accurately, an IPL-style eliminator as the losing team will be kicked out of the tournament. Even a win may not be enough for either of the teams if Australia win their match against England tomorrow. Bangladesh have come into the Champions Trophy with a lot of momentum, making it to number six in the world with a win over none other than today's opponents in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy. But their performance has not been stellar since -- they lost to England in the opener despite scoring 305 and only rain delayed their ticket back home in the second game against Australia.
On a greenish, two-paced pitch, the Tigers have decided to bring back pacer Taskin Ahmed at the expense of Imrul Kayes and Mosaddek Hossain for Mehedi Hasan Miraz. Sabbir Rahman will probably reclaim his position at number three today, but before that Bangladesh have to keep Kane Williamson and Co to a manageable score.
4:03pm -- New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson wins the toss and chooses to bat.
Teams
Bangladesh:
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (C), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mosaddek Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed
New Zealand:
Kane Williamson (C), Martin Guptill, Luke Ronchi, Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, Jimmy Neesham, Corey Anderson, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.
3:50 -- The umpires have had their inspection and have determined that the ground is fit for play. The toss will take place one hour later than scheduled at 11:00pm (4:00pm Bangladesh time), and the match will start at 11:30pm. No overs have been lost because of the delay.
3:00pm -- A wet outfield in Cardiff's Sophia Gardens has delayed the start of the Bangladesh-New Zealand Champions Trophy Group A game.
Overnight rain and morning showers has left the playing area wet and there will be an inspection by the umpires at 10:45am (3:45pm Bangladesh time).
It is a cloudy day in Cardiff, and the wicket, according to the pitch report by former West Indian fast bowler Ian Bishop, is softer than the others seen in the Champions Trophy, which hints at movement off the seam. According to Bishop the pitch may also be two-paced. If he is correct, the batsmen have their work cut out for them.
A loss in this match will spell an exit from the tournament for either team.
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