Shakib, Mahmudullah tons turn nightmare for NZ; Ban win by 5 wickets

Cardiff: The brilliant partnership of 224 runs between Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah would be no less than a nightmare for New Zealand. Despite four down at just 33 runs, Bangladesh beat Kiwis by 5 wickets, with 16 balls remaining, in the ICC Champions Trophy Group A match played at the Sophia Gardens here on Friday.

Both Shakib and Mahmudullah turnaround the game for Bangladesh by scoring 114 runs (115 balls) and 102 runs (107 balls) respectively and dominated the New Zealand bowling equally well while chasing the target of 266 runs.

This is the highest ever partnership for Bangladesh. The previous highest was a stand of 148 runs off 140 balls by Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al-Hasan against New Zealand in Chitagong in 2014.

By the time Shakib was bowled in the 47th over by an excellent yorker by Trent Boult, Bangladesh were on the verge of victory as they needed just nine runs from 21 deliveries.

Mosaddek Hossain then joined Mahmadullah in the middle to see Bangladesh through to victory.

The team from South Asia crossed the line in 47.2 overs.

Friday's result has given Bangladesh to qualify for the semi-finals. They finish their group engagements with three points from as many matches.

They suffered an eight-wicket in the tournament opener against hosts England. They then earned one point from their washed out second game against Australia.

If England manage to defeat Australia in the final game of Group A on Saturday, then Bangladesh will go through to the knockout stage along with the hosts. Australia have been extremely unlucky as they have notched up only two points so far as both their matches were abandoned due to rain.

The Kiwis on the hand will have to catch the new flight back to New Zealand. They finish a poor campaign with a single from three matches.

Boasting a power-packed line-up of fast bowlers, the Kiwis were expected to do well in the swing friendly English conditions. But their bowling showed surprising lack of bite on Friday despite some early promise.

They earned their only point from their abandoned campaign opener against Australia before going down by 87 runs to England.

New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee knocked the wind out of the Bangladesh batting in the early stages of the chase by picking up three wickets in his opening three overs.

With Bangladesh struggling at 12/3 in the fifth over, Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim 21 runs between them before the Kiwi pacer Adam Milne found the gap between the bat and pad of the latter.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 265/8 (Kane Williamson 57, Ross Taylor 63; Mosaddek Hossain 3/13) against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh: 268/5 in 47.2 overs (Shakib Al-Hasan 114, Mahmadullah 102 not out; Tim Southee 3/45) against New Zealand 265/8 (Kane Williamson 57, Ross Taylor 63; Mosaddek Hossain 3/13).

- With IANS Inputs