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

Kane Williamson and his New Zealand deputy Ross Taylor went ahead and smashed the ball to different parts of Wellington to ensure that the Kiwis did indeed secure an impressive win in the first Test by eight wickets. While the gathering on the final day at Wellington ensured that they were treated to yet another New Zealand win, the Bangladeshis were left scratching their heads on a collapse that could have very well been avoided.

In fact, it took barely eight deliveries of the morning’s play to ensure that a wicket fell. This wicket was in the form of Shakib-Al-Hasan who has dismissed seemingly something that proved to be the match as far as New Zealand was concerned. However, the wickets soon began to tumble and the Bangladesh innings closed up like a pack of cards.

However, while the dismissal of Shakib was clearly a massive blow, there was something more at stake as well. What came next was a blow to the head of their captain, Mushfiqur Rahim who eventually had to be stretchered off owing to some severe problems, the second player in the match following the hip injury to Tamim Iqbal.

Sabbir Rahman was the final person to ensure a resistance for the visitors with an impressive half-century, most of which came in quick time and some risky shot-making. This was a good piece of aggressive batting, something that was not to last very long as he was snapped up by Trent Boult.

The Bangladesh innings soon capitulated at 160, meaning that the Kiwis had to chase 217. Of course, when it came to Test matches, it seemed as though the target was unreachable. However, in an ODI, this was completely achievable.

Mehedi Hasan, Bangladesh’s new sensation was brought to bowl the first few overs of the innings. This culminated in the dismissals of Jeet Raval and Tom Latham, the two openers who had been quite decent in the first innings. After getting starts, both openers were back in the hut meaning that the visitors still had a chance of securing the win.

Little did they realize that they were bowling to perhaps two of the most accomplished batsmen in the side. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor would go on to add a partnership worth in excess of a hundred runs as the Kiwis would march on ahead towards a win. This was also a fitting comeback as far as Ross Taylor was concerned given his recent predicaments as well.

Whole Taylor marked his comeback with a half-century, it was Kane Williamson who ensured that there was a century for him as well, his first in the match as the Kiwis completed the win they so richly deserved.

Brief Scores:

Bangladesh, 1st innings: 595/8 dec.

New Zealand, 1st innings: 539 all out

Bangladesh, 2nd innings: 160 all out (Sabbir 50; T Boult 3/53)

New Zealand, 2nd innings: 217/3 (K Williamson 104*; M Hasan 2/66)