Fast bowler takes six as Bangladesh beat reigning champions for their first win in the country across formats
Mohammad Isam04-Jan-2022Bangladesh, a team at the lowest of ebbs only last month when they were swept at home by Pakistan, have taken down the world champions, the mighty New Zealand, by eight wickets in the first Test in Mount Maunganui.Related
Ebadot Hossain: 'If you are fit enough as a fast bowler, you can do anything'
Ebadot repays the faith with blockbuster spell
Latham rues missed chances but admits Bangladesh 'certainly outplayed us over five days'
Ebadot Hossain: 'I needed to be patient for success to come'
In the scale of unlikely results in Test cricket, this is right up there. It’s the first time Bangladesh have beaten New Zealand in Tests, ending the hosts’ 17-match unbeaten home record. This is also the first time Bangladesh have beaten New Zealand in any format in New Zealand. It’s Bangladesh’s sixth overseas Test win – anywhere. But more than the stats, trivia and milestones, what stood out was how Bangladesh dominated New Zealand almost all the way through the Test.Little known Ebadot Hossain, the fast bowler who started this game with the poorest average for a minimum of ten Test wickets, was the unlikely hero for Bangladesh. On the fifth morning, he took two wickets to take his innings figures to 6 for 46, the first six-for by a Bangladesh fast bowler in more than eight years and the best by a Bangladesh quick overseas.Taskin Ahmed took three wickets while Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up the last wicket to fall. The home side, which lost their last five wickets for 15 runs, lasted only 56 minutes on the fifth morning, folding for a lead of only 39.Bangladesh took their time reaching the 40-run target, in 16.5 overs, during an extended first session. Shadman Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto were dismissed caught behind, with Ross Taylor taking a superb catch off Shanto’s outside edge. Fittingly, Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s highest run-getter in Tests and their most experienced cricketer, scored the winning runs, with captain Mominul Haque at the other end.