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Bangladesh shocked the cricket universe in defeating current world Test champions New Zealand by eight wickets in the Bay of Plenty.
The Black Caps are notoriously difficult to beat in home conditions but Bangladesh showed no fear against New Zealand’s bowling lineup.
Bangladesh Team dressing room celebrations following the historic win at Mount Maunganui.#BCB #cricket #BANvsNZ pic.twitter.com/78pGFQ30wP
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) January 5, 2022
There was one photo that went viral earlier in the Test which summed up the David vs Goliath battle when Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque was standing alongside Kiwi quick Kyle Jamieson.
From 2 different parts of the world……!????#SAvsIND #NZvsBAN pic.twitter.com/cH8F1MyajP
— Akram Khan (@AkramK2108) January 2, 2022
Jamieson is a good 40cm taller than Haque but Haque’s fighting spirit inspired his side with a gritty 88 in the first innings. He may not be the best reviewer in world cricket after he comically wasted three reviews inside 37 overs on Day 4 but he more than made up for it with his tactics.
At one stage New Zealand threatened to set Bangladesh a tough final innings chase when the side was 2 for 136 with a slight lead but Bangladesh held their nerve and kept patient when so often they’d crumble in the past.
They bowled New Zealand out for 169 with a stunning collapse from the home side.
The best part about the victory was the players who contributed the most. It wasn’t just experience but youth that led the way.
In just his second Test match, 21-year-old Mahmudul Joy looked as though he’d been playing Test cricket for 20 years.
His patient 78 came off 228 balls and he slowly wore down New Zealand’s bowlers who became noticeably frustrated. A rare sight for the ‘nice guys’ of cricket.
23-year-old Najmul Hossain Shanto also chipped in with the bat at no.3. England could do worse than study the way Bangladesh batted for 176 overs when they debrief from their horror Ashes campaign against Australia.
As well as the youth, it was a story of redemption.
Before the Test, pace bowler Edabot Hossain had taken 11 wickets in 10 Tests at an average of 81.54. When New Zealand looked like taking charge in the third innings he defied his career average to snag 6 for 46 in 21 overs including the massive wicket of Ross Taylor. As a result, he became the first Bangladeshi seamer to take a five-wicket haul since 2013.
New Zealand crowd joining the Ebadat Hussain in his Warm-up moves. #NZvsBan pic.twitter.com/PviEYNkZLW
— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) January 1, 2022
Not surprisingly the result came as a massive surprise with Bangladesh ranked no.9 in the world compared to New Zealand’s current no.2 ranking after they recently slipped below India.
Never underestimate your opponent regardless, Bangladesh showed it today against world Test champion. #NZvsBan
— Shakeel Ahmed (@Shakattack24901) January 4, 2022
Me right now-
They are doing it!#BANvNZ #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/tj9pu2nThG
— Shihab Ahsan Khan (@shihabahsankhan) January 5, 2022
It was also a time of reflection.
For me personally, this Test win brings a strange emotion. I was in Christchurch in 2019 when the Test match got cancelled due to the Al Noor Mosque shooting.
To see them win their next Test in New Zealand, is personally a special occasion. #NZvBAN
— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) January 5, 2022
Mushfiqur hits the winning runs – how fitting, what a servant he's been. Bangladesh's finest moment in Test cricket. #NZvBAN
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) January 5, 2022
It's the Tigers first test win over the Black Caps and first win away to NZ in any format #NZvBAN
— Newstalk ZB Sport (@newstalkzbsport) January 5, 2022
Bangladesh create history. They win by 8 wickets. Rahim celebrates with a roar and fist pump. The entire team are on the balcony celebrating a famous victory. #NZvsBan #Bangladesh #BANvsNZ pic.twitter.com/4eWBvCIms9
— Avinash Aryan (@AvinashArya09) January 5, 2022
The mother of all upsets. Bangladesh breaks New Zealand's run of 17 Tests unbeaten at home!!! The first Asian team to win a Test in NZ in over a decade. What a kick-ass start to 2022!!! #NZvsBan
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) January 5, 2022