Oct. 14: Shakib Al Hasan put in a superb all-round performance Thursday as Bangladesh enjoyed one of their biggest days in one-day cricket, beating New Zealand by nine runs in the thrilling fourth match to gain an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-game series.
Bangladesh had earlier clinched one-day series against minnows Zimbabwe and a depleted West Indies, but it was their first series victory against a big team, thanks to skipper Shakib. Shakib, 23, was key to Bangladesh’s victory before a sizeable crowd at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, hitting a 113-ball 106 for his fifth one-day hundred to help his side post 241.
New Zealand were bowled out for 232 in the last over, with middle-order batsman Kane Williamson posing a major threat to Bangladesh’s total with a fighting 108 for his maiden one-day hundred. “I think we have played great cricket throughout the series. We have shown great character,” said Shakib, named man of the match.
“I batted sensibly and didn’t take too many risks. But I do need to work on my bowling as I haven’t bowled as well as I would have liked,” Shakib added. Williamson, 20, also became the youngest New Zealand player to hit a one-day hundred. He cracked two sixes and six fours in his 132-ball knock. Batting with a runner because of cramp in the later part of his innings, Williamson added 70 for the sixth wicket with Grant Elliott (22) and 53 for the eighth with Nathan McCullum (33).
New Zealand suffered a setback when McCullum was run out in the 49th over. They needed 16 to win in the last over, but could manage only six.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 241 in 48.1 overs (Shakib-al Hasan 106) bt New Zealand 232 in 49.3 overs (Williamson 108).