Skipper Mominul Haque overjoyed with Bangladesh’s maiden victory in NZ; reveals he had sleepless night after fourth day’s play due to added pressure
Skipper Mominul Haque (left) and Mushfiqur Rahim celebrate Bangladesh’s win over NZ at Tauranga yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
An ecstatic Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque was lost for words at his side’s shock eight-wicket win over world champions New Zealand here on Wednesday. It is the first time Bangladesh have won in New Zealand, and Mominul could not contain his emotion when Mushfiqur Rahim clouted a boundary off Kyle Jamieson to seal the famous victory by eight wickets.
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“I can’t describe it. It’s an unbelievable thing,” Mominul, who was not out 13, said after hugging Mushfiqur and waving to the Bangladesh team and support staff. It was not only a boost for Bangladesh cricket, but it also severely dented New Zealand’s hopes of retaining their world Test crown.
In one of cricket’s biggest upsets, Bangladesh arrived in New Zealand on the back of a 0-2 home series loss to Pakistan and less than seven months since New Zealand had won the World Test Championship by beating India in the final in England.
New Zealand, 130 behind after the first innings, were only 17 runs in front at stumps on Day Four with five wickets remaining, but Mominul said he refused to contemplate victory until it happened. “Honestly, I couldn’t sleep yesterday because of the pressure and I didn’t know what will happen today,” he said.
Bangladesh outplayed us: NZ captain Latham
Mount Maunganui: New Zealand captain Tom Latham was gracious in an eight-wicket defeat to Bangladesh at the Bay Oval, saying the tourists outplayed them through all five days of the match. “Bangladesh showed exactly how to operate in the first innings. They pushed themselves to the front of the game and put us under a lot of pressure through their batting innings. They were confident and bowled really well. Full respect to them, they certainly outplayed us throughout the five days,” Latham said.
17
Consecutive number of Tests NZ remained unbeaten at home prior to Wednesday’s defeat
6-46
Ebadot Hossain’s bowling figures against NZ is the second-best for a Bangladesh pacer in Tests after Shahadat Hossain’s 6-27 v SA in 2008
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