Bangladesh have created history in New Zealand – the champions of the World Test Championship – for the first time in their history of Test cricket. It was an astonishing performance by a bunch of boys who were battered at home in disgraceful fashions – but regrouped to pull out a stunning win with a disciplined performance.
Congratulations @BCBtigers. Well played on all fronts. #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/EYCU1CpQWV
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 5, 2022
On Day 1, Devon Conway returned from injury and scored his second century in Test cricket, on his home debut.
Conway made 122 off 227 balls with 16 fours and a six over midwicket, which brought up his fifty after lunch. He favoured the on-side and remained strong square of the wicket, only hitting straight drives when fed something absolutely full. He steadied New Zealand after an early wicket with a 138-run second-wicket stand with Will Young, who made 52. Conway added a further 50 with Ross Taylor, who looked to attack Bangladesh after tea.
Mominul Hoque did not hesitate to bowl first and his bowlers started to ask questions to the batters of the home team – Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Ebadot Hossain bowled with enough intent, maintained the line and length that was the highlight of Bangladesh bowlers throughout this Test match.
? First win v New Zealand in New Zealand (in all formats)
? First Test win v New Zealand
? First away Test win against a team in the top five of the ICC Rankings
? 12 crucial #WTC23 points!History for Bangladesh at Bay Oval!#NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/wTtmHfCITZ
— ICC (@ICC) January 5, 2022
The bowlers struck early and which meant, Conway and Young had to steady the innings, but Bangladesh always kept things under control.
On Day 2, Bangladesh were smart with the ball while being patient with the bat at Mount Maunganui to keep things in their favour as the Kiwis were not pleased with their first-innings score of 328, their lowest at home against Bangladesh.
But what would have frustrated them more was seeing the visitors reach 175 for 2 at stumps, with Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudul Hasan Joy bringing up half-centuries.
Bangladesh became only the second visiting team in the last eight years to bat more than 50 overs for the first two wickets in New Zealand.
Outstanding performance by our fast bowler and equally well played by all the batsmen. Enjoy the day. You guys deserves all the credit.
— Shakib Al Hasan (@Sah75official) January 5, 2022
On Day 3, Bangladesh batted with firmness and purpose to dominate New Zealand on the third day of the Mount Maunganui Test. The visitors went to stumps on 401 for 6, leading by 73 runs, the first time they have done so batting second outside Asia.
Captain Mominul Haque was the top scorer with 88, having struck 12 fours in his 244-ball knock as stayed at the crease for over six hours. Mominul added 158 runs for the fifth wicket with Liton Das, who made 86 off 177 deliveries.
Their fifties came after Mahmudul Hasan, playing just his second Test, made a diligent 78, adding 104 for the second wicket with Najmul Hossain, who made 64. Also, Monday was the first time each of Bangladesh top six batters faced more than 50 balls in an away Test innings.
The moment Ebadot Hossain completed his maiden Test five-for ? #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/FsJxXMalYm
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 5, 2022
Bangladesh’s 156 overs batted is their most in a Test innings outside Asia, as the home side’s bowling attack felt the full toll of the visitors’ heightened discipline. Neil Wagner and Trent Boult took three wickets each but Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee and Rachin Ravindra went wicketless in their 88 overs combined.
On Day 4, Ebadot landed big blows on the New Zealand batting on the fourth evening of the first Test in Mount Maunganui, picking up three wickets in the space of nine deliveries to reduce them from a stable 136 for 2 to 136 for 5. New Zealand went to stumps on 147 for 5, just ahead by 17 runs going into the final day with Ross Taylor and Rachin Ravindra in the middle.
New Zealand may have felt that the third-wicket partnership between Will Young and Taylor would take them to safety after they lost Tom Latham early and Devon Conway not long after.
But the script changed in the 54th over.
Ebadot first got one to nip back at Young, who missed with the pull and the ball hit timber. Young threw back his head, swung his bat over the stumps and kicked the ground in disgust. This was the breakthrough Bangladesh had been waiting for.
Ebadot struck Henry Nicholls’ front pad next ball, but the lbw appeal was turned down.
In the following delivery, he got the ball to burst through Nicholls’ defence.
On the final day, Ebadot bagged six wickets and chased down a small total to bring an end to New Zealand’s 17-match unbeaten run in Test matches at home.
Taskin Ahmed took three wickets while Mehidy Hasan picked up the last wicket to fall.
New Zealand, who lost their last five wickets for 15 runs, lasted only 56 minutes on the fifth day, folding for a lead of only 39.
Note: Input from ESPNcricinfo