This was evident during the sixth match of the tri-series in
Ireland. In the third ball of the innings, Nasir Hossain dropped an absolute
sitter off Mashrafe Mortaza’s bowling—a moment that drew ire from fans and
critics alike. Such lapses are inexcusable at the international level, and New
Zealand gleefully capitalized. Latham, now reprieved, combined with Neil Broom
to forge a commanding partnership. While Broom anchored the innings, Latham
rotated the strike with surgical precision and peppered the boundary at will.
By the end of the 28th over, New Zealand had raced to 145
for 1, perfectly poised for an onslaught in the death overs—a phase where
Bangladesh has historically struggled. At this juncture, the match seemed to be
slipping away from the Tigers, but Mashrafe Mortaza had other plans.
Mashrafe’s Attack: A
Masterclass in Middle-Overs Strategy
The turning point came in the 29th over. Nasir Hossain,
eager to redeem himself, removed Broom with his first delivery, caught smartly
by Mashrafe. Sensing an opening, Mashrafe discarded conservative tactics and
embraced an all-out attack. Drawing from Imran Khan's philosophy that wickets,
not containment, dictate the flow of a match, Mashrafe threw the ball to
Mustafizur Rahman.
Mustafizur, or "Fizz" as he is affectionately
known, responded with a probing spell. His deliveries oscillated between
teasing lines outside off stump and deceptive slants into the pads. Two balls
wide of off-stump lured Ross Taylor into false strokes, while others on a
middle-and-leg trajectory squared him up. The pressure mounted, forcing Latham
into a rash stroke in Nasir's next over. His casual flick missed the mark, and
the off-stump lay dislodged—a pivotal moment as the Kiwi innings began to
unravel.
Neutralizing the
Power-Hitters
With Corey Anderson and Taylor—both fearsome power hitters—at the crease, Mashrafe’s task was far from over. Recognizing the
importance of keeping them unsettled, he rotated his bowlers shrewdly.
Mustafizur and Nasir continued briefly, but Mashrafe switched to Shakib Al
Hasan and Rubel Hossain from the 37th over—a move that paid dividends.
Shakib removed Anderson with a delivery that turned just
enough to outfox the left-hander, while Rubel’s pace and aggression at the
other end made scoring increasingly difficult. Rubel, one of Bangladesh’s
finest pacers, combined hostile short-pitched deliveries with full, attacking
lengths. Even when he occasionally leaked runs, the intent was clear: build
pressure and induce mistakes. This approach bore fruit, as Taylor, unable to
settle, succumbed under the mounting pressure.
Bangladesh’s
Death-Overs Resurgence
Historically, Bangladesh has struggled in the death overs,
particularly against well-set power-hitters. But on this occasion, Mashrafe’s
aggressive mindset ensured a different script. Unlike New Zealand’s strategy of
slowing the pace in their previous encounter, Mashrafe instructed his bowlers
to persist with attacking lines and maintain pace.
Returning in the 42nd over, Mashrafe removed Jimmy Neesham
with a well-directed delivery, and Shakib continued to torment the batsmen with
an aggressive line and length, dismissing the dangerous Mitchell Santner. When
Colin Munro fell to Mashrafe’s guile, New Zealand’s hopes of a late surge were
dashed. The final overs saw the relentless pairing of Rubel and Mustafizur
tighten the noose, conceding a mere 22 runs. For a team renowned for their
death-over exploits, New Zealand's struggles underscored the brilliance of
Bangladesh’s strategy.
Tamim, Sabbir, and
the Chase
Set a modest target, Bangladesh’s chase began entertainingly. Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman combined aggression with
elegance, reducing the task to a near cakewalk. Yet, as is often the case, the
middle order made heavy weather of what seemed a straightforward chase.
Thankfully, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad steadied the ship, ensuring
Bangladesh crossed the finish line without further drama.
A Landmark Victory
This victory, Bangladesh's first against New Zealand away
from home, was a testament to Mashrafe Mortaza’s attacking captaincy. His
willingness to back his bowlers, set aggressive fields, and prioritize wickets
over containment turned the tide. In a game where the slightest shift in
momentum can be decisive, Mashrafe’s leadership shone through, inspiring a
collective effort that neutralized New Zealand’s formidable batting lineup.
While the batsmen played their part, it was Bangladesh’s aggressive bowling and fielding in the middle and death overs that defined the match. This victory is not just a historic moment—it is a blueprint for the Tigers to emulate in future encounters against top-tier opposition.
