Shakib stars in series win

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan starred with an all-round display to help the hosts beat New Zealand by 9 runs to registers its first-ever series win against a full member full strength side on Thursday.

At the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Bangladesh rode on Shakib's 113-ball 106 (11x4, 1x6) to make 241 in 48.1 overs. In reply, New Zealand innings was held together by new boy Kane Williamson's first century (108: 132b, 6x4, 2x6), but in the end the home team held their nerves to claim the series 3-0.

The fifth and final match of the One-Day International series will be played on 17 october.

New Zealand chose to field first and struck at regular intervals to leave Bangladesh at 97 for four. Shakib teamed up with lower order to revive the innings. Shakib's 68-run stand for the sixth wicket with Mahmudullah gave the fillip to the Bangladesh score. Shakib ended with 106 off 113 balls (11x4, 1x6)

Debutant medium-pacer Hamish Bennett (3-44) and skipper Daniel Vettori (2-35) were the best bowlers for New Zealand.

New Zealand in its chase slipped to 80 for five, but Williamson rallied the lower order brilliantly. He shared a 70-run sixth wicket stand with Grant Elliott first. Later he shared a 53 run stand with Nathan McCullum for the eightth wicket to bring New Zealand within striking distance. Shakib struck at regular intervals to end with figures of 3-54.

Williamson required a runner in Ross Taylor as he suffered from cramps. Yet, Williamson managed to score his maiden One-Day International hundred in his fifth match and also became the youngest New Zealand batsman to get to this feat.

In the end, Williamson was the last man out in the final over as Bangladesh celebrated like never before.