Bangladesh stun New Zealand in rain-hit ODI

DHAKA: Shakibal Hasan impressed with bat and ball to help Bangladesh to a morale-boosting win over New Zealand in a rain-curtailed One-Day International (ODI).

Hasan hit 58 off 51 to steer the hosts to a competitive 228 all out and then grabbed four wickets to restrict New Zealand to 200 for eight. The hosts won by nine runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method after rain, midway through the second session, forced the target to be revised to 210 in 37 overs.

It was only the second win for Bangladesh in 18 ODIs against New Zealand and gave them the early advantage in the five-match series.

Recalled opener Shahriar Nafees made 35 and Junaid Siddique chipped in with 30, but the Bangladesh batsmen failed to build on good starts. New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori led from the front with two for 29 in 10 overs.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2010.