New Zealand crushed Bangladesh by nine wickets to win their first test shortly before tea on the third day at Dunedin’s University Oval on Sunday (January 6). Set 35 to win after Bangladesh’s batting collapsed, New Zealand reached their target in 8.1 overs for the loss of one wicket, opener Craig Cumming for four, who was trapped lbw by Mashrafe Mortaza. First innings century maker Matthew Bell finished unbeaten on 20 while Peter Fulton, who smashed Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful for six to seal the win, was 15 not out. New Zealand knocked off all 10 wickets for 106 runs to have Bangladesh all out for 254, and then cruised to the 35-run target for victory for the loss of one wicket.
First innings centurion Matthew Bell, recalled to the Test arena for the first time since 2001, was unbeaten on 20 while Peter Fulton ended the game with a six to be not out 15.
On an easy wicket, neither of Bangladesh’s Test debutant openers Tamim Iqbal and Junaid Siddique were able to convert their strong start to the second innings into maiden centuries.
Tamim added 12 runs in the morning before being bowled by Kyle Mills for 84 and in the next over Junaid followed the 18-year-old back to the pavillion for 74 when he edged Chris Martin into the hands of Stephen Fleming at first slip.
Together they had established a record 161-run opening partnership for Bangladesh, which was to be one of the few highlights the visitors could take from the Test.
Their other significant achievement was to make New Zealand bat again for the first time in five Tests between the two countries, even if the target was minimal.
With the openers gone, Jacob Oram snared Habibul Bashar and Iain O’Brien followed with the wickets of Mohammad Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed to have Bangladesh reeling at 206 for five at lunch.
Ashraful reached 23 before giving away his wicket with a rash shot when he steered a wayward O’Brien delivery to Craig Cumming at point.
The collapse continued in the middle session as Daniel Vettori ripped through the tail to finish with four for 70, including three leg before wicket decisions.
Martin ended the innings when he dismissed Sajidul Island with the first delivery of the second new ball to have the figures of two for eight off 10 overs for the day after giving up 48 runs from 10 overs the previous day.
In New Zealand’s brief chase for 35 runs to win, Cumming went lbw to Mashrafe Mortaza for four after making only one run in the first innings.
Bangladesh 1st Innings 137/10 and 2nd innings : 254/10 (Junaid 74, Tamim 84, Ashraful 23, Nafees 28; Vettori 4/70)
New Zealand 1st Innings : 357/10 (Bell 107, Oram 117; Mashrafee 4/74) and 2nd Innings 39/1 (Bell 20*, Fulton 15*)
Result : New Zealand won by 9 wickets
Player of the match : Jacob Oram (New Zealand)
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