Williamson Ton In Vain As Bangladesh Take Victory

Williamson Ton In Vain As Bangladesh Take Victory

Bangladesh players celebrate a wicket during their nine-run win over New Zealand

©REUTERS/Andrew Biraj (BANGLADESH - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Bangladesh 241 (Shakib Al Hasan 106, Bennett 3-44) beat
New Zealand 232 (Williamson 108, Shakib Al Hasan 3-54) by nine runs
Fourth One-Day International, Mirpur
Scorecard

Bangladesh held their nerve to defeat New Zealand by nine runs in the fourth One-Day International in Mirpur despite a battling century from Kane Williamson.

He was the last man to fall, having made 108 in 131 balls, as New Zealand were dismissed for 232 in reply to Bangladesh's 241 all out.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan had earlier stroked 106 and he then starred with the ball, taking three for 54 as New Zealand slipped to 80 for five before Williamson launched a brave fightback.

In his fifth match, he hit six fours and two sixes in an impressive innings as he alone stood firm against the Bangladesh bowlers.

He shared in key partnerships with Grant Elliott, who made 22, and Nathan McCullum, who hit 33 before Shakib's haul, along with a wicket apiece for Shafiul Islam, Abdur Razzak, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Mahmudullah and Rubel Hossain, ensured that Bangladesh took their third win in a row.

Shakib once again proved himself as his side's key performer by hitting his fifth ODI century to guide Bangladesh to a competitive score.

Imrul Kayes and Mahmudullah both made 37 as Hamish Bennett marked his debut by taking three for 44 while Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey and Daniel Vettori all took two wickets apiece.

However, Bangladesh had the runs on the board and they excelled again in home conditions to hold off New Zealand, the result handing them a 3-0 lead in the five-match series with one match, to be played on 17th October, remaining.

The scoreline confirms Bangladesh's second One-Day International series win against a current Test-playing nation since they were given full status in 2000, having beaten an understrength West Indies side in 2009.

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