A magnificent double-century partnership has steered Bangladesh to a five-wicket win over New Zealand in Cardiff, eliminating the Black Caps from the Champions Trophy.
Ross Taylor salutes after scoring 50. Photo: Photosport
New Zealand finish the tournament with a winless record after having the outcome of their last pool game snatched from them by a brilliant fifth-wicket stand between Shakib Al Hasan, 114 and Mahmudullah 102 not out.
The pair put on 224, rescuing their run chase after Black Caps seamer Tim Southee 3-45 knocked over the top order.
Struggling at 4-33, New Zealand's 265 seemed a long way off, but the record- setting partnership carried Bangladesh to 5-268 with 16 balls to spare.
New Zealand's innings at Sophia Gardens was built around half-centuries to in- form captain Kane Williamson, 57 and Ross Taylor, 63 but they failed to accelerate sufficiently over the closing stages.
The loss followed a washed-out match against Australia and an 87-run loss to England.
Kane William said he thought 265 would be enough.
"In saying that we would hjave liked a but more, closer to 300 would have been much better and that was achievable but it wasn't to be."
He said the partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah deserves to be commemorated.
"They're two great experienced players and they came together well today and to do it under pressure was superb.
"It was frustrating to be on the other side of it, we wanted to come into this game firing but we didn't play our best cricket, we left a few runs out there," Williamson said.
Bangladesh's hopes of reaching the semi-finals rely on England beating Australia in the final pool match on Saturday.
-AAP /RNZ
