Who would have thought favorites New Zealand having become the first team to exit the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 by virtue of brilliant batting display of Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah in Cardiff on Friday.
There have been three back-to-back upsets in the ICC second main event after World Cup as earlier Pakistan and Sri Lanka stunned South Africa and India respectively and now weak-considered Bangladesh clinched a stunning victory against New Zealand.
With historic victory against New Zealand, Bangladesh now stands at second spot in group A Points Table and has prospect of going through the next round, depending upon England beats Australia at Birmingham on Saturday.
Whereas New Zealand’s journey in ICC Champions Trophy 2017 has ended now.
Earlier New Zealand put Bangladesh into bat after winning the toss and scored 265 runs for 8 in 50 overs. Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson were highest scorers for New Zealand with 63 and 57 runs respectively.
From Bangladesh, Mosaddek Hossain was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets.
In reply, Bangladesh had a nervous start and its four top batsmen fell for just 33 runs. But then 224-run record partnership for fifth wicket established by Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah led the Side to a remarkable victory.
Both these batsmen scored Centuries as Shakib Al Hasan made 114 runs before he was bowled by Trent Boult while Mahmudullah made unbeaten 102 runs.
Just second time in Bangladesh’s ODI history that 2 batsmen have scored centuries in the same inns. Last time was vs Pakistan in 2015. #CT17
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 9, 2017
In the end, Bangladesh reached the target of 266 runs in 47.2 overs with 5 wickets still remaining.
Player of the Match goes to @Sah75official for his part in that breathtaking partnership! #NZvBAN #CT17 pic.twitter.com/RFndfXZTIh
— ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2017
Interestingly, it was the only second ODI match of Bangladesh in Cardiff and earlier at the same venue it also astonished Australia in 2005 when then World Champions was beaten by Bangladesh by 5 wickets.
So far the Host England is the only team which has qualified for Semi Finals and if it beats Australia tomorrow, Bangladesh will join England; otherwise Australia will go through from group A.
Group A as it stands.
Will the standings be the same this time tomorrow? https://t.co/YFcUNofSdS #CT17 pic.twitter.com/yjxMqssgMO
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 9, 2017