New Zealand v Bangladesh, 1st Test Day 5: 5 Talking Points

Wellington witnessed one of the most dramatic turnarounds in a Test match as New Zealand completed a sensational victory at the Basin Reserve against Bangladesh to go 1-0 up in the 2 match series. Not many would have predicted this outcome considering Bangladesh were only 3 down in their 2nd innings when the day began. But the way the hosts fought back and clinched the match after conceding 595 to Bangladesh in the 1st innings was nothing short of magic.

First, it was the bowlers who allowed the hosts to claw their way back into the match after an outstanding performance in the morning session. Bangladesh couldn’t get going and lost wickets at regular intervals and was eventually bowled out for 160, setting New Zealand a victory target of 217. A match-winning century from captain Kane Williamson to go with a gutsy knock from Ross Taylor ensured New Zealand reached the target in 39.4 overs.

Here we have a look at 5 Talking points from the final day’s play

1. Mitchell Santner provides the hosts with the much-needed early breakthrough  

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner did just what the doctor had ordered the hosts at the beginning of the day by removing double centurion from the 1st innings Shakib-Al-Hasan in the 2nd over of the day. It was a terrible shot from such an experienced batsman considering the situation of the game when the visitors needed to bat sensibly. Mid-on was in the circle and Shakib scooped it straight to short mid-on fielder. A 5 ball duck was what he managed after a historic innings in the 1st essay.

The left-arm orthodox spinner had already dismissed Tamim Iqbal on the 4th day to trigger a Bangladesh collapse. He eventually finished with impressive figures of 2/36 in 16 overs.

Also read: Twitter Reaction: New Zealand completes incredible win as Bangladesh capitulates

2. Sabbir Rahman fights hard with a valiant half-century

Amidst the blushes, there was one batsman in the Bangladesh ranks who was ready to play the waiting game and defy the New Zealand bowlers. The hard-hitting Sabbir Rahman came into the middle after the fall of Mominul Haque’s wicket in the 27th over and looked in complete control of proceedings from the word go.

He struck some delightful strokes during his innings of 50 and especially cut the fast bowlers to perfection. He was eventually dismissed by left-arm quick Trent Boult to reduce the visitors to 152/8. They were eventually bowled out for 160.

3. Mushfiqur Rahim stretchered off the ground in an ambulance

Captain Mushfiqur Rahim was in for a terrible shock when he received a blow on the head of a fierce bouncer from Tim Southee in the 43rd over of the innings. It was a short delivery at around 135kmph which clattered into the helmet of Mushfiqur. He collapsed to the ground in pain. The wicket-keeper batsman took his eyes off the ball and was struck flush on the back of the helmet just behind his left ear.

He misjudged the bounce and looked in shock. The New Zealand players came and showed concern for Mushfiq and Tamim ran into the field to check whether his team-mate was alright. An ambulance entered the field and eventually stretchered him off.

Also read: NZ v BAN, 1st Test Day 5 Review: New Zealand seals dramatic win in Wellington

4. Kane Williamson’s match-winning century

After the fall of two quick wickets captain Kane Williamson and experienced middle-order batsman batted superbly and bailed them out of the precarious situation. Courtesy their heroics the hosts eventually chased down the target within 40 overs.

He began with a delightful boundary of Mehedi Hasan and followed it up with two more in the next over. Things got from bad to worse for Bangladesh as Williamson took on the visiting bowlers with disdain. Despite not hitting aerial shots he was finding the gaps to perfection and was scoring at well over a run a ball.

He reached his elusive three-figure mark in the final over of the match by smashing Mehedi Hasan through the cover boundaries. He eventually remained unbeaten on 104 of 90 balls, an innings constructed with 15 hits to the fence.

5. Ross Taylor’s fluent half-century

Ross Taylor joined Kane Williamson in the middle after the fall of two quick wickets of openers Tom Latham and Jeet Raval. The swashbuckling middle-order batsman began pretty well and struck some wonderful boundaries especially of Mehedi Hasan and Shakib. He employed the slog sweep on a couple of occasions and timed it perfectly.

Taylor reached his fifty in the 32nd over of the bowling of Taskin Ahmed by tucking a delivery through the fine-leg region. He was eventually dismissed on 60 by Subhasish Roy in the 37th over of the innings but by then he and Williamson had taken the hosts within touching distance of a historic win.