Superb Sakib sinks Kiwis

Sakib al Hasan displayed a fine all-round performance to steer Bangladesh to a pulsating nine-run victory over New Zealand in the first one-day international of the five-match series in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Sakib struck the only half-century for Bangladesh, 58 off 51 balls, leading them to 228 all out before his 4-41 helped the home side restrict New Zealand to 200-8 after they were set a revised target of 210 runs in 37 overs.
Brendon McCullum struck a quickfire 61 off 45 balls and added 53 runs with Jesse Ryder (21) to give New Zealand a strong platform, but Sakib brought Bangladesh back in the match dismissing the openers before rain intervened.
New Zealand were 85-4 in 15 overs when rain halted the proceedings for nearly an hour and once the game resumed both the sides had a fair chance of winning with Ross Taylor and Daniel Vettori at the crease for the tourists.
Bangladesh thought they had Vettori out for nine after the game restarted when substitute fielder Sohrawardi Shuvo took a catch at deep square-leg off Mahmudullah, but the full-pitched delivery was judged a no-ball by
third umpire to give New Zealand captain a lifeline.
Former skipper Roquibul Hasan, who is now an international match referee, said that a new rule of the ICC that came into effect only a few months ago had cost Mahmudullah the crucial wicket.
Previously the umpires would give a no-ball only if a pace bowler bowled a full-pitched delivery at waist height, but according to the new rule any ball that falls in the criteria, be it from a pacer or a spinner, would be called ‘a no-ball’.
Indian umpire SK Tarapore still took his time and discussed with the third umpire before declaring it as no-ball.
Vettori, however, failed to capitalise on his lifeline and was out for 24 having been caught by Junaed Siddique off Naeem Islam. Bangladesh then got Shanan Stewart run out for two before Naeem had removed Taylor for 42 to give his side an upper hand.
New Zealand needed 18 runs in the final over, bowled by Nazmul Hossain, but they could add only nine runs. Kyle Mills was left stranded at 22 not out as he saw his partner Tim Southee cave in under immense pressure.
Bangladesh were a bowler short for most of the game after their skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza had injured his ankle in the third over of New Zealand innings. Mashrafee fell awkwardly while attempting to deliver the first of his second over and failed to take any further part in the game.
The win, only the second for Bangladesh in 18 attempts against New Zealand, came as a huge consolation for the injured skipper, who was celebrating his 27th birthday and making his home debut as captain.
The day, however, began in perfect style for Mashrafee, who won the toss and opted to bat first.
Bangladesh were off to a steady start with opener Shahriar Nafees, back in the ODI side after nearly two years, providing some early momentum, hitting Mills for three consecutive boundaries in the fifth over.
Vettori had Nafees bowled for 35 after Mills had removed his opening partner Imrul Kayes (16) and the tourists had a regular breakthrough whenever a partnership seemed to be developing.
Vettori also trapped Roqibul Hassan lbw for 22 and could have added Junaed to his tally two balls later if the batsman was not given a benefit of doubt by the third umpire. Replay suggested that the feet of Junaed was marginally out of crease, but the third umpire thought otherwise.
Junaed could add only 10 runs to his 20 after the unexpected reprieve with Nathan McCullum having him clean bowled. Jesse Ryder struck twice in two overs to get rid of Mushfiqur Rahim (22) and Mahmudullah, but Sakib kept the scoreboard ticking and brought up his 15th ODI fifty with a long-on boundary off Andy McKay.
Mills claimed three wickets for 44 runs while Ryder grabbed 2-16, but Vettori was by far the best bowler for New Zealand having taken two vital wickets for 29 runs.

Courtesy of NewAge