Most remarkable win
Challenge for Bangladesh to pick itself up
THE arguments for a switch to fourday tests have taken an uppercut after the previous two tests in New Zealand.
Nine Pakistan wickets fell in the final session in Hamilton before Christmas, a stunning outcome; and now both Bangladesh and New Zealand were duelling for the spoils going into the final session of day five at the Basin Reserve yesterday.
There were more than 4000 fans in — the gates were opened before play began — and they got to see a day loaded with entertainment and controversy.
New Zealand rode home to a sevenwicket win with ease in the end, chasing 217, on the back of a superbly skilled, unbeaten 104 off 90 balls by captain Kane Williamson, but there were many threads to this match.
Here is one: how will Bangladesh pick itself up after the ignominy of having scored 595 and then getting run down on the final afternoon?
It was a tough final day for the touring side.
‘‘Not unlucky, no. We have ourselves to blame,’’ opener Tamim Iqbal said.
True, and New Zealand was good enough to, firstly, get close to that first innings score, then bowl with vim and determination to dismiss an injuryhit Bangladesh for 160.
Once Williamson and Ross Taylor (60 off 77 balls) settled into their 163run stand for the third wicket, it was effectively game over.
Williamson’s batting was outstanding in his 15th century and third at the Basin, after 102 not out against South Africa in 2012 and 242 not out against Sri Lanka in 2015.
‘‘Coming into the last two sessions and either team could win it,’’ he said.
‘‘That’s what test cricket is about.
‘‘When you’re two for 30, 200 can be quite a long way away in the last innings. We needed to knuckle down, get a partnership together and get a bit of momentum.’’
Which they did. Between afternoon tea and drinks, they rattled on 79 in 12 overs to give the game a final tug away from Bangladesh.
Taylor was out to a brilliant catch at gully by Mehedi Hasan just before the end, but he deserved high praise for his support role to his skipper.
The single most arresting sight of the day, however, was Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s plucky and respected captain, lying on the crease, an ambulance beside the stumps after taking a blow on the back of his helmet from a Tim Southee short ball.
He seemed fine last night after a trip to hospital, but Mushfiqur showed considerable pluck after being peppered by shortpitched balls from New Zealand.
A shame the firstinnings doublecentury maker Shakib al Hasan did not follow suit, lamely giving a catch to deep midon in the second over of the day when he was sorely needed to contribute.
In some respects, this will rank among New Zealand’s more remarkable test wins.
Williamson indicated there had been little thought given to pulling out further behind to allow more bowling time at Bangladesh. The home side backed itself to put some heat on the touring side’s batsmen late on day four and it worked.
You are left wondering if the manner of the defeat will play havoc with Bangladesh’s psyche before the second test starting in Christchurch on Friday.