Twitter Reactions: Shakib and Mahmudullah script historic win over New Zealand

Cricket is the game of belief – a team or a player’s belief that they can better the opposition has the kind of an impact which can turn things around in a contest and that is exactly what Bangladesh did today. Their win over New Zealand a couple of weeks ago might have come against a weaker rather second string Kiwi team but that gave Bangladesh the belief to beat them.

Two of the biggest names in Bangladeshi cricket a legend Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riad stood up for the team when the heat was on them having lost 4 wickets for 33 runs. They weren’t chasing a big total but the Black Caps have a bowling attack that can make 265 look a mountain. Shakib and Mahmudullah set smaller targets and fifty after fifty stitched runs together.

Their partnership was worth 224 in 209 balls they didn’t let the runs go beyond manageable limit hitting the occasional boundaries and kept the momentum in their end by keeping the wicket intact. Both the batsmen got to their centuries with Shakib getting their first and the whole of Bangladesh could be heard rejoicing this incredible knock from a star from the country.

Shakib eventually got out for 114 but Mahmudullah was committed to not only get his hundred but also take the team home. He stayed unbeaten on 102 as Mosaddek Hossain the star of the team with the ball hit a boundary through the slips to knock New Zealand out of the tournament getting over the line with 5 wickets and 16 balls to spare.

It was a special ground – the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff was the very venue which witnessed Bangladesh’s first ever win against Australia – who were the No.1 ranked team at that time. They were able to replicate their amazing performance again with a remarkable win.

Earlier in the day Kane Williamson won the toss and decided to bat first, under overcast conditions the Bangladeshi bowlers bowled with a lot of discipline and restricted the Kiwis to a sizeable 265. Ross Taylor and Williamson who scored half centuries were the only major contributors. Martin Guptill, Luke Ronchi, Neil Broom and James Neesham all had starts but couldn’t capitalise on to score anything big.

Mosaddek bowled an exceptional spell to return with figures of 3/13 in 3 overs the best on the night.

Bangladesh had a poor start with Tamim Iqbal getting out for a duck, they soon lost his partner Soumya Sarkar and no.3 Sabbir Rahman had 8 runs to add to the total whereas Mushfiqur Rahim’s contribution to the scoreboard was just 14. Three of these four wickets were picked by Tim Southee.

Thereafter it was all about the duo of Shakib and Mahmudullah and they cruised the team through to a knocking win.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Bangladesh’s remarkable win