Al-Amin's snub, Munro's switch hit
Plays of the day for the only T20 between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Mirpur
Mohammad Isam in Mirpur
06-Nov-2013
File photo - Naeem Islam ensured Bangladesh broke a country record by scoring 23 off an over • AFP
The snub
Al-Amin Hossain was still buzzing as he bowled the final over of the New Zealand innings when he got his first wicket, that of Corey Anderson. He was delighted and ran towards the wicketkeeper but Mushfiqur Rahim wasn't even bothered. He waved away Al-Amin, who looked a little sheepish as he had to stop short on his celebrations. He completed a caught and bowled chance two balls later, which also didn't draw any of his team-mates. Mushfiqur, however clapped, and came close to the bowler.
Al-Amin Hossain was still buzzing as he bowled the final over of the New Zealand innings when he got his first wicket, that of Corey Anderson. He was delighted and ran towards the wicketkeeper but Mushfiqur Rahim wasn't even bothered. He waved away Al-Amin, who looked a little sheepish as he had to stop short on his celebrations. He completed a caught and bowled chance two balls later, which also didn't draw any of his team-mates. Mushfiqur, however clapped, and came close to the bowler.
The reverse hit
Colin Munro had said after the third ODI that it was his strength to play reverse and switch hits. Those shots naturally came out in the Twenty20 too and off his first attempt, he turned around in the 13th over and pulled Mahmudullah to a right-hander's midwicket as it landed into the Mirpur grandstand. It was a remarkable shot but this approach drew some controversy too.
Colin Munro had said after the third ODI that it was his strength to play reverse and switch hits. Those shots naturally came out in the Twenty20 too and off his first attempt, he turned around in the 13th over and pulled Mahmudullah to a right-hander's midwicket as it landed into the Mirpur grandstand. It was a remarkable shot but this approach drew some controversy too.
The confusion
Against Mashrafe Mortaza in the 15th over, Munro turned around once again but this time he missed the ball as the seamer went slightly wider. Umpire Sharfuddoula, however, decided it was a wide ball when it had actually passed through the wide marker. Mahmudullah ran in from the covers and so did Mushfiqur to demand an explanation. There was none, and the decision stayed.
Against Mashrafe Mortaza in the 15th over, Munro turned around once again but this time he missed the ball as the seamer went slightly wider. Umpire Sharfuddoula, however, decided it was a wide ball when it had actually passed through the wide marker. Mahmudullah ran in from the covers and so did Mushfiqur to demand an explanation. There was none, and the decision stayed.
The record
Bangladesh had never scored 23 or more runs off an over in Twenty20s so when Naeem Islam ended the fourth over by Mitchell McClenaghan with a superb six off the last ball, the record was completed. It was a short ball slightly outside the off stump, which Naeem latched on to by playing a forehand smack, the ball landing into the wire fence at midwicket.
Bangladesh had never scored 23 or more runs off an over in Twenty20s so when Naeem Islam ended the fourth over by Mitchell McClenaghan with a superb six off the last ball, the record was completed. It was a short ball slightly outside the off stump, which Naeem latched on to by playing a forehand smack, the ball landing into the wire fence at midwicket.
The catch
Nathan McCullum hadn't done much on this tour until he intercepted Nasir Hossain's blast down the ground with a superb catch off his own bowling. That nearly completed the game for New Zealand who, from that point, were well on their way to their first win of the tour. McCullum celebrated quietly, perhaps his hands were still ringing with the sting of Nasir's shot.
Nathan McCullum hadn't done much on this tour until he intercepted Nasir Hossain's blast down the ground with a superb catch off his own bowling. That nearly completed the game for New Zealand who, from that point, were well on their way to their first win of the tour. McCullum celebrated quietly, perhaps his hands were still ringing with the sting of Nasir's shot.
The drop
Tim Southee got under a skier off his bowling, right next to his follow-through when he dropped a sitter. In fact, his fingers weren't even in line with the ball as Sohag Gazi, the batsman who had top-edged the ball, ran past him. Southee looked at Gazi in disbelief and hinted that Gazi put him off by running so close to him as he was attempting the catch. But Southee got a look of disbelief from Gazi.
Tim Southee got under a skier off his bowling, right next to his follow-through when he dropped a sitter. In fact, his fingers weren't even in line with the ball as Sohag Gazi, the batsman who had top-edged the ball, ran past him. Southee looked at Gazi in disbelief and hinted that Gazi put him off by running so close to him as he was attempting the catch. But Southee got a look of disbelief from Gazi.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. He tweets here