Bangladesh pull off a coup

Mahmudullah, Shakib slam tons as Tigers beat New Zealand by five wickets

Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah both made superb centuries as Bangladesh completed a stunning five-wicket win over New Zealand that kept alive their hopes of reaching the Champions Trophy semifinals.

Bangladesh collapsed to 33 for four chasing a modest 265 for victory after Tim Southee removed all their top three batsmen.

But left-hander Shakib (114) and Mahmudullah (102) turned the tide with a stand of 224 — Bangladesh's highest ODI partnership for any wicket, with this result ending the Kiwis’ bid to reach the last four.

Now Bangladesh must hope that tournament hosts England beat Australia in the final Group ‘A’ match at Edgbaston on Saturday if they are to go through to the semifinals.

A win for Australia would see them join already-qualified England in the last four and knock out Bangladesh.

But if Saturday's match, as has happened twice to Australia already this tournament, ends in a no result washout it will be Bangladesh who go into the semifinals.

Earlier, Mossadek Hossain marked his return to the Bangladesh side by taking three wickets as the Kiwis slumped to a total of 265 for eight.

New Zealand were well set while captain Kane Williamson (57) and Ross Taylor (63) were sharing a stand of 83 — their third fifty partnership in as many matches this tournament.

But, as happened in their no-result washout with Australia and defeat by England, the Blackcaps' innings collapsed once the experienced batsmen were out in quick succession.

Mossadek, chosen ahead of fellow off-spinner Mehedi Hasan, took two wickets in three balls on his way to impressive figures of three for 13 in three overs.

Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh's other change to a side that escaped with a no result against Australia, took two for 43 in eight overs.

New Zealand, who had been 152 for three off 30 overs, only managed 113 more runs in the last 20 overs.

Given 300 is now generally regarded as a ‘par score’, Bangladesh were on top at the half-way stage — especially as Williamson had won the toss.

Opener Martin Guptill was in excellent touch after the match started an hour late due to rain and drove Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza for six.

But Bangladesh’s change bowlers removed both Luke Ronchi and fellow opener Guptill to leave New Zealand 69 for two. The extra pace of Taskin, recalled instead of batsman Imrul Kayes, appeared to surprise Luke Ronchi (16), a mistimed pull lobbing gently to Mustafizur Rahman at mid-on.

Guptill's 33 then came to an end when he was lbw to Rubel Hossain.

Williamson, fresh from scores of 100 and 87 against England and Australia, showed his class with several elegant fours.

Williamson went on to complete a 58-ball fifty, but he ran himself out as Bangladesh were rewarded for building pressure.

Taylor turned Shakib straight to Mossadek at short fine leg and non-striker Williamson set off for a single that was never on.

Mossadek then removed New Zealand's next three batsmen, striking twice in the 44th over when Neil Broom (36) sliced to backward point and Corey Anderson was plumb lbw for a duck.

The spinner completed his haul by having Jimmy Neesham (23), yards down the pitch, stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim.