Shakib stuns Kiwis in rain-hit one-dayer

DHAKA: Shakib Al Hasan shone with bat and ball to help Bangladesh to a morale-boosting win over New Zealand in a rain-curtailed one-day international on Tuesday.

Shakib hit 58 off 51 to steer the hosts to a competitive 228 all out and then grabbed four wickets to restrict New Zealand to 200-8 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on the outskirts of Dhaka.

Bangladesh won by nine runs through the Duckworth-Lewis method after rain midway through the second session forced the Black Caps’ target to be revised to 210 in 37 overs.

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

Shakib, who stood down as captain to concentrate on his cricket, hit eight fours after skipper Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and elected to bat first.

Recalled opener Shahriar Nafees made 35 and Junaid Siddique chipped in with 30, but the Bangladeshi batsmen failed to build on good starts.

Versatile New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori led from the front with 2-29 in 10 overs of accurate left-arm spin, while seamer Kyle Mills grabbed three wickets for 44 runs.

Jesse Ryder and Andy McKay took two wickets each.

Brendon McCullum gave the Kiwis a rousing start with 61 off 45 balls, including seven fours and two sixes.

McCullum and Jesse Ryder put on 53 for the first wicket by the seventh over, before three quick wickets from Shakib reduced the tourists to 85-4 by the 15th.

Heavy rain at that stage toughened New Zealand’s target, but Ross Taylor battled bravely to make 42, while Vettori contributed 24.

Shakib conceded the rain break helped his team, but hailed the bowlers for sticking to the task.

“The rain went in our favour but our bowlers bowled in good areas,” he said. “Today was my day but the others supported me as well and it was a team effort in the end.”

Vettori rued his team’s batting display as the target mounted.

“We had a reasonable start and to restrict them to less than 230 was a good effort,” said Vettori. “We expected to win, but we let ourselves down in the second half of our batting effort.

“Brendon played really well, he gave us impetus but we couldn’t back him up.”

Bangladesh’s day was marred by an ankle injury to captain Mortaza, who limped off the field after sending down just one over.

It was unclear if he will be available for Friday’s second match at the same venue.

“He (Mortaza) has a sprained right ankle,” team physiotherapist Michael Henry said. “We will be observing him for at least another 48 hours.

“The injured area has been put on ice. There will be no further investigation for the time being.” -AFP