New Zealand vs Bangladesh in 2021-22

Test matches (2): New Zealand 1 (12pts), Bangladesh 1 (12pts)

Bangladesh overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to achieve their maiden Test victory against New Zealand, at the 16th attempt. Whether by complacency or a lack of skill, the world champions yielded to the inexperienced but resourceful tourists. Ebadat Hossain's venomous pace in the First Test at Mount Maunganui ended the New Zealanders' home run of eight series victories - as well as 17 games without defeat - and breathed life into the second edition of the World Test Championship.

The outcome was all the more extraordinary given Bangladesh's disjointed build-up. They had recently lost two Tests at home to Pakistan, and travelled to New Zealand without Mahmudullah (who retired from Tests in November), Tamim Iqbal (who had injured a thumb) and Shakib Al Hasan (who requested leave). They were supposed to undergo a week's quarantine in their hotel, but this was extended by three days when eight members of their party were deemed close contacts of a Covid case on the inbound flight and spin-bowling coach Rangana Herath tested positive.

New Zealand were missing their captain, Kane Williamson, with an elbow injury, and omitted Ajaz Patel, despite his taking all ten in an innings against India in Mumbai the previous month. Their pace quartet included the returning Trent Boult and Neil Wagner, while Rachin Ravindra, who bowls part-time slow left-armers, was selected for the First Test as a hedging strategy, but went wicketless as Bangladesh pulled off their surprise.

It was perplexing that the Second Test was held in Christchurch, where a number of Bangladesh's players narrowly avoided the anti-Muslim terror attack of March 2019. New Zealand's comeback was led by stand-in captain Tom Latham, who scored his second Test double-century; he was supported by Devon Conway, named Player of the Series after a hundred in each game. Ross Taylor retired from Tests, aged 37, at the end of the series, with 7,683 runs - the most by a New Zealander. He was given a final cameo with the ball, and he took the series-levelling wicket with a gentle off-break.