A new chapter was written in the history books of Bangladesh cricket on Wednesday (January 5) as they registered a first win on New Zealand soil. The 8-wicket win over the Kiwis was secured after Ebadot Hossain produced an inspiring show. The right-arm pacer scalped six wickets in the second innings to be the architect-in-chief of the win and said the win will inspire the next generation.
“In New Zealand soil, our brothers and teams didn’t get a win in the last 21 years. We set a goal this time. We raised our hand and said ‘We have to beat New Zealand on their own soil and we can do it.’ They are Test champions, if we can beat them our next generation will be inspired,” the 27-year-old Hossain said after being adjudged ‘Man of the Match’.
“In the last two years, I have been working with Ottis Gibson. Conditions are always flat at home. We are still learning how to bowl and reverse in away conditions. I am trying to hit the top of the stumps. I needed to be a little patient for success to come,” the seamer added in the post-match conference.
First fifer of Test career
Hossain, two days shy of his 28th birthday, was the fulcrum of the win as he picked up three wickets at the back end of Day 4 and followed that with a sensational performance on Day 5 to wrap the New Zealand tail. He registered the first fifer of his Test career while playing in his 11th Test match.
Astonishingly, the high-flying bowler is not new to flying jets as he represents the Bangladesh Air Force and before turning to cricket he was a professional Volleyball player.
WTC Table
The win sees Bangladesh register their first points in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC). The defending WTC winners will now have to come from behind to draw the two-match Test series, as the Tigers now lead the affair 1-0.
The teams will next meet on Sunday (January 9) at Christchurch, as Bangladesh would try to imply further misery on the Blackcaps by registering their first series win on New Zealand soil.
