A late resurgence from Bangladesh wasn’t enough to rectify Mushfiqur Rahim’s blunder earlier in the day as New Zealand sealed a narrow win at The Oval. Here’s Steven Lynch’s report from the 2020 Wisden Almanack.
First published in the 2020 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack
Bangladesh v New Zealand
Match 9, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
The Oval, London
June 5, 2019
At 160 for two after 31 overs, chasing a modest 245, New Zealand seemed to be coasting to victory.
Williamson had survived a run-out chance on eight, when Mushfiqur Rahim dislodged the bails with his arm before collecting the ball, and put on 105 with Taylor, their 13th century stand in one-day internationals. But he hoisted an attempted flick off Mehedi Hasan to deep midwicket and was followed in the same over by Latham. A single frame spared Neesham from a run-out in Mehedi’s next, but the fall of Taylor, to a leg-side tickle after a measured 82 from 91 balls, sent the largely green-clad crowd wild again.
“There were times out there I thought I was in Chittagong or Dhaka,” said Taylor. Big hitters de Grandhomme and Neesham departed in successive overs; then, with seven wanted, Henry was castled by a Mohammad Saifuddin full toss.
The pressure eased with two wides, before Ferguson jammed down on a yorker; it scudded away for four to level the scores. Santner had earlier dispensed no gifts during a tight spell, and now – glasses glinting beneath the lights – he eased Mustafizur Rahman through the covers.
Bangladesh’s innings, which had started under clouds, had been notable for New Zealand’s discipline: only 37 runs came between the 30th and 40th overs, while Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain faced 63 balls without a boundary. Of the main bowlers only Henry, who took four wickets, went for more than five an over.
