Tigers roar in Kiwis’ backyard

Bangladesh create history, crush world champions New Zealand in one of cricket’s biggest upsets

NT Correspondent

Mount Maunganui: Bangladesh pulled off a crushing eight-wicket victory over world champions New Zealand at Mount Maunganui on Wednesday.

The tourists needed only 40 runs in their second innings for the historic win, their first ever in New Zealand and only their sixth in 61 away Tests.

The match was wrapped up in one session on the final day as Ebadot Hossain took a career-best six for 46 and New Zealand were rolled in their second innings for 169.

It was a “David and Goliath” result, with Bangladesh ranked ninth in the world while world Test champions New Zealand are second. It was also New Zealand’s first loss in 16 home Tests over the past four years.

Bangladesh have previously lost all 32 matches played in New Zealand across all formats, including nine Tests, and they arrived to start this tour following back-to-back losses at home to Pakistan.

But they attacked this Test with confidence and apart from a 138-run second-wicket stand by Devon Conway and Will Young in New Zealand’s first innings, the tourists have largely been in control.

‘Can’t describe unbelievable’ win: Mominul

An ecstatic Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque was lost for words at his side’s shock win. “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.

‘People would call me lunatic if I talked about winning in NZ’

Winning captain thought he would be “labelled a lunatic” if he even mentioned his team’s ambition to win a Test match in New Zealand. Going to bed at the end of the fourth and penultimate day’s play, the tourists were in with a realistic chance of scripting history, but Mominul still couldn’t sleep.