Last Updated on 3 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Stats highlights: Bangladesh defy all odds to beat New Zealand | Bangladesh produce biggest Test upset of all-time to beat NZ
Who said 2022 wouldn’t be as weird as 2021?
In the first Test match of the year, Bangladesh have pulled off the biggest upset in Test history, beating World Test Champions New Zealand on their own turf.
Bangladesh, who were paying at least 20-to-1 with most bookmakers before the Test, produced easily their best ever performance as they dominated the Black Caps from the middle of day one onwards.
The feat is even more remarkable when you consider the tourists were without linchpins Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. Ebadot Hossain was the hero after the side put together an excellent batting display, ripping out the stumps of the New Zealand batsmen with an inspired spell late on day four.
New Zealand then began day five 17 runs ahead with five wickets in the bank. A lead of 120 or so could have kept New Zealand right in the game. However, the rampant Ebadot and Taskin Ahmed didn’t give them a sniff, producing an exhibition in reverse swing bowling to rip out the final five wickets for just 22 runs as Bangladesh not only beat the Black Caps, but absolutely smashed them.
Stats highlights as Bangladesh pull off all-time upset to beat New Zealand:
1. First win for Bangladesh in New Zealand in ANY format
Bangladesh came into the Test without registering a single win in New Zealand, spanning 32 matches across ODIs, Tests and T20Is. In fairness, they have never even come close to victory in Test matches in New Zealand, even losing in 2017 after posting a huge 595/8.
2. Bangladesh’s first ever Test win against New Zealand
Bangladesh have enjoyed ODI success at home vs New Zealand, but they had never beaten them in a Test match either home or away. Before this Test, the two teams met on 15 occasions, with the Black Caps winning 12. The others were draws, where two were affected by rain.
3. Bangladesh’s first ever Test win in SENA countries
Before this Test, Bangladesh had never won a Test in South Africa, England, New Zealand or Australia (SENA). They have enjoyed some good moments in spurts in these nations over the years, but they never sustained it enough to put together a proper challenge.
In this Test, Bangladesh dominated nearly every session to claim their first ever win in a SENA nation.
4. First 5-wicket haul by any Bangladesh seamer since 2013
Not since Robiul Islam in Zimbabwe in 2013 has a Bangladesh seamer taken a five-wicket haul in a Test match. Anywhere.
Ebadot Hossain, who had the worst average of any bowler in Test history with at least 10 wickets (81.4), ripped through the Black Caps’ lineup in the second innings to finish with 6/46 and set up a famous, historic victory.
To paint a picture, Bangladesh’s spinners took 31 five-wicket hauls in the period between Robiul’s five-wicket haul and Ebadot’s.
5. New Zealand’s 17-match home unbeaten streak over
New Zealand hadn’t lost a Test at home since South Africa won by eight wickets at the Basin Reserve in March 2017. The Black Caps have been a force at home over the course of the past five years, winning 13 of 17 matches which included dominant victories over the likes of England and India.
Not the case here, however.
6. First Test win by an Asian team in New Zealand since 2011
The last Asian team to win a Test in New Zealand was Pakistan in 2011. They have played five Tests since without success.
India last won in 2009. They have since played six Tests without the joy of victory. Sri Lanka also haven’t tasted success in six Tests since their last victory in the nation since 2006.
If you are a betting person, you may not have ever believed that Bangladesh, who lost 13 wickets in a day to lose a Test at home vs Pakistan last month, would be the team to end this drought.
7. Bangladesh’s first Test win over top 5 team away from home
Before this, Bangladesh had only beaten Zimbabwe (2013, 2021), Sri Lanka (2017) and a weakened West Indies (2009) away from home. So, to beat a near full-strength New Zealand side that was only missing Kane Williamson is quite the achievement (and surprise).
8. Bangladesh’s longest ever Test innings away from Asia
Never before had Bangladesh batted as long away from Asia as they did in their first innings in this Test. They kept the Black Caps out in the field for 176.2 overs, accumulating 458 to take a crucial 130-run lead.
The Tigers batted 196 overs against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2013, which remains their longest-ever batting innings.
9. First time all top 8 Bangladesh batsmen batted over 50 balls in an innings
Bangladesh’s marathon first innings effort was made all the more impressive by the fact that each of their top eight batsmen batted at least 50 deliveries. This was a first for Bangladesh in Test cricket.
10. New Zealand’s streak of eight-straight home Test series wins is over
For the first time since 2017, New Zealand won’t finish a home Test campaign with a series victory. They won eight straight series in this period, which was crucial in their journey to the World Test Championship trophy.
To go one step further, New Zealand have not lost a home series since losing to Australia in 2016. Before that, South Africa won 1-0 in 2012.
They must win the second Test Christchurch to ensure that record stays intact.
What a result for Bangladesh. What a result for Test cricket. The ninth-ranked Test nation has toppled the second-ranked side on their own turf, and it will be talked about for some time to come.
