Aizaz Cheema stretches during a net session

Aizaz Cheema stretches during a net session, Mirpur, December 16, 2011©AFP

Aizaz Cheema stretches during a net session, Mirpur, December 16, 2011©AFP

Shahid Afridi claimed his fourth ODI five for of the year

Shahid Afridi claimed his fourth ODI five-for of the year, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©Associated Press

Shahid Afridi claimed his fourth ODI five-for of the year, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©Associated Press

Posted by

M Usman Arshad

Shakib Al Hasan is congratulated on dismissing Younis Khan

Shakib Al Hasan is congratulated on dismissing Younis Khan, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©AFP

Shakib Al Hasan is congratulated on dismissing Younis Khan, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©AFP

Posted by

M Usman Arshad

Mohammad Hafeez punches one to the off side

Mohammad Hafeez punches one to the off side, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©AFP

Mohammad Hafeez punches one to the off side, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011
©AFP

Posted by

M Usman Arshad

Nasir Hossain signals the end of Imran Farhat

Nasir Hossain signals the end of Imran Farhat, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©AFP

Nasir Hossain signals the end of Imran Farhat, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©AFP

Posted by

M Usman Arshad

Shahid Afridi playing to the leg side

Shahid Afridi works one to the leg side, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©AFP

Shahid Afridi works one to the leg side, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©AFP

Posted by

M Usman Arshad

Misbah ul Haq weaves out of the way of a short ball

Misbah ul Haq weaves out of the way of a short ball, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©AFP

Misbah ul Haq weaves out of the way of a short ball, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©AFP

Posted by

M Usman Arshad

Umar Gul is pumped up after taking a wicket

Umar Gul is pumped up after taking a wicket, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©AFP

Umar Gul is pumped up after taking a wicket, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st ODI, Mirpur, December 1, 2011

©AFP

Posted by

M Usman Arshad

Anamul Haque wins the player of the final award

Anamul Haque wins the player of the final award, Rajshahi v Dhaka, National Cricket League final, Mirpur, May 14, 2011 

© BCB

Anamul Haque wins the player of the final award, Rajshahi v Dhaka, National Cricket League final, Mirpur, May 14, 2011 © BCB

Imrul Kayes hits down the ground

Imrul Kayes hits down the ground, Bangladesh v Australia, 3rd ODI, Mirpur, April 13, 2011 © Associated Press

Imrul Kayes hits down the ground, Bangladesh v Australia, 3rd ODI, Mirpur, April 13, 2011 © Associated Press

Tamim Iqbal blasted 32 before he was bowled

Tamim Iqbal blasted 32 before he was bowled, Bangladesh v Australia, 3rd ODI, Mirpur, April 13, 2011

 © Associated Press

Tamim Iqbal blasted 32 before he was bowled, Bangladesh v Australia, 3rd ODI, Mirpur, April 13, 2011 © Associated Press

Mitchell Johnson picked up three wickets

Mitchell Johnson picked up three wickets, Bangladesh v Australia, 3rd ODI, Mirpur, April 13, 2011

 © Associated Press

Add caption

Shane Watson hit a record-breaking 15 sixes

Bangladesh v Australia, 2nd ODI, Mirpur

Watson powers Australia to series win

The Bulletin by Daniel Brettig in Mirpur

April 11, 2011

Shane Watson hit a record-breaking
 15 sixes in his unbeaten 185
Bangladesh v Australia,
 2nd ODI, Mirpur, April 11, 2011
©Associated Press

Shane Watson knocked Bangladesh's bowlers senseless with a world record tally of sixes as the Australians galloped to a nine-wicket victory in the second limited overs match in Mirpur to seal the series.

The target of 230 had appeared a possible banana skin on a slow pitch offering some turn, but Watson made such light work of it, that his unbeaten185 from 96 balls now stands as the highest ODI score by an Australian, overtaking Matthew Hayden's 181 against New Zealand in 2007.

Xavier Marshall's 2008 mark for most sixes fell when Watson swung his 13th over the rope, the second six in as many balls off the bowling of Abdur Razzak. Watson added two more for good measure, laying claim to one of ODI cricket's more enduring records, for the highest individual percentage of runs in a completed innings. His 79.74% bested Viv Richards' 69.48% in his momentous 189 not out, out of 272 for 9, against England in 1984. (It doesn't qualify for Cricinfo's records, though, which recognise only those cases where a team is all out or where the full allocation of scheduled overs was used.)

Following Michael Clarke's century in game one, vice-captain Watson struck a mighty blow for the visitors' new leadership duo, accompanied most of the way by the unbeaten Ricky Ponting, although it came against a Bangladesh attack that was cowed into submission from virtually the first over of the chase.

Dropping Cameron White for Callum Ferguson as they sought a series-sealing victory, the Australians were in total command when Bangladesh slid to 88 for 5. But Rahim, allrounder Mahmudullah and left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo pushed the hosts to 229 for 7.

Shahriar Nafees had done his best to keep the first half of the innings from petering out entirely but he was not helped by the funereal approach of opener Imrul Kayes, who lingered 41 balls to gouge out five runs. Mitchell Johnson and Steve Smith shared five well-deserved wickets, while Brett Lee was short of luck during a spell that was damaged after he leaked 17 runs in his final over.

As if to stamp his intent on proceedings, Watson coshed 14 from the first over of the reply and made 27 before his partner, Brad Haddin, had even faced a ball. Together they added 62 before Haddin, having contributed eight, mistimed a catch to midwicket for his second low score of the series.

Ponting was largely happy to enjoy his front-row seat for the Watson exhibition, which will please his Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne as much as it did Clarke. The punishment was never greater than in the 22nd over, when Shuvo was deposited for four leg-side sixes, illustrating Watson's fearful power against supine opponents.

Seeking parity at 1-1 after Shakib Al Hasan won the toss, Tamim Iqbal offered a flashy drive at Johnson in the second over and sliced to the left of the solitary slip where Shane Watson held an excellent catch. In the next over Lee and the rest of the Australians were convinced they had Imrul gloving a well-directed short ball behind, but a vociferous and sustained appeal went unheeded, decision reviews not being used during the series. Australia's disgust at not claiming the wicket would be alleviated across the next eight overs, as Imrul crawled to five from 41 balls, draining the innings of all momentum and then compounded his sin by swinging unwisely at Johnson to sky a leg-side catch.

The next man in, Raqibul Hasan, played down the wrong line at Hastings and was bowled for a duck, before Smith ripped a leg break between Shakib's bat and pad in his first over, leaving Shahriar to attempt to repair the damage. He had reached 56 when Smith flighted a leg break and was rewarded with the tamest of return catches, as the hosts slid to 88 for 5.

From this dire base developed a partnership between Mahmudullah and wicketkeeper Rahim, lifting Bangladesh into the realm of respectability with a combination of neat strokes and tidy running between the wickets. They were bracing for the batting Powerplay when Watson pinned Mahmudullah in front of middle stump, but Rahim, Shuvo and Shafiul Islam spirited away 59 runs from the final five overs to ensure a target that hinted at competitiveness.

The home side's only change was to withdraw Mashrafe Mortaza from the firing line, replaced by Rubel Hossain, after Mortaza was significantly down on his usual pace in the series opener. Given Watson's subsequent pyrotechnics, he may have been relieved to sit this one out.

now south africa get out from world cup

New Zealand 221/8 (50 ov)

South Africa 172 (43.2 ov)

New Zealand won by 49 runs

New Zealand pull off stunning upset

Nathan McCullum takes NZ to brink

New Zealand v South Africa, World Cup 2011, quarter-final, Mirpur , Jacob Oram , Nathan McCullum

New Zealand stumble to 221 on slow track

South Africa attacked with spin and seam, shuffled their bowlers regularly like a pack of cards, and hustled on the field to keep a tight leash on New Zealand. Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor were at the forefront of a revival from the depths of 16 for 2 but their departure in quick succession left New Zealand scrambling towards a below-par total on a slow track.

Jacob Oram

Carefully, almost mindful of a potential lower-order collapse on this pitch, Ryder and Taylor battled through. The odd boundary signalled growing comfort, but they never broke away decisively. A nervy equilibrium had been reached by the end of the 30th over with New Zealand reaching 112 for 2 and the game was waiting to be seized. New Zealand, however, weren't brave enough, or skilful enough, to take it. They made couple of weak-hearted attempts but only stumbled and stuttered.

First, it was Taylor, who raised New Zealand hopes with a slog-swept six off Peterson in the 32nd over but soon exited, falling to the same shot. He top-edged a slog sweep off Imran Tahir in the 33rd over to cue charged-up celebrations from the bowler.

Next, it was the turn of Scott Styris to flatter and deceive. He unfurled a lovely on driven four and a pulled boundary off Morne Morkel and lifted Johan Botha to the straight boundary to push New Zealand to 153 for 3 in the 38th over, but then fell, edging a slog on to his stumps against Morkel.

New Zealand sent in Kane Williamson and pressure escalated on Ryder to attack. Ryder tried but failed, top-edging a slog sweep off a delighted Tahir. With Ryder's exit New Zealand were on 157 for 5 by the 39th over and 250 went flying out of the window as they settled for a "decent" total. It was left to Williamson, who worked the angles with grunted pushes and punches, to lift New Zealand past 200. He lifted Robin Peterson for a six over long-on and punched Steyn to the extra cover boundary to give some joy to the New Zealand fans.

Imran Tahir

Credit must be given to South Africa, and Graeme Smith, who made innumerable bowling changes on this slow track. No bowler was exposed to any batsman for any length of period and barring Morkel, all the bowlers turned up with their A game. Morkel had an off day, struggling to find a nagging line or length and leaked almost six runs per over but redeemed himself somewhat by picking up a couple of wickets in the final overs.

It was Morkel who had allowed Ryder, and New Zealand, to break away initially at the start. Ryder made a scratchy start, playing too late on many deliveries, but broke free against Morkel, pulling and whiplashing him through the off side. Ryder also slapped Peterson for a couple of boundaries.

The back-lift was minimal, the foot movement was limited but precise, and the bat-speed increased tremendously whenever he unfurled those lashes through the off side. He brought up his fifty in the 22nd over and the hundred partnership with Taylor in the 30th over as New Zealand slowly moved towards a position of some comfort before it all went pear shaped.

Sriram Veera is a staff writer at ESPNcricinfo

New Zealand pull off stunning upset

New Zealand pull off stunning upset

Nathan McCullum takes NZ to brink

New Zealand v South Africa, World Cup 2011, quarter-final, Mirpur , Jacob Oram , Nathan McCullum

New Zealand stumble to 221 on slow track

South Africa attacked with spin and seam, shuffled their bowlers regularly like a pack of cards, and hustled on the field to keep a tight leash on New Zealand. Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor were at the forefront of a revival from the depths of 16 for 2 but their departure in quick succession left New Zealand scrambling towards a below-par total on a slow track.

Jacob Oram

Carefully, almost mindful of a potential lower-order collapse on this pitch, Ryder and Taylor battled through. The odd boundary signalled growing comfort, but they never broke away decisively. A nervy equilibrium had been reached by the end of the 30th over with New Zealand reaching 112 for 2 and the game was waiting to be seized. New Zealand, however, weren't brave enough, or skilful enough, to take it. They made couple of weak-hearted attempts but only stumbled and stuttered.

First, it was Taylor, who raised New Zealand hopes with a slog-swept six off Peterson in the 32nd over but soon exited, falling to the same shot. He top-edged a slog sweep off Imran Tahir in the 33rd over to cue charged-up celebrations from the bowler.

Next, it was the turn of Scott Styris to flatter and deceive. He unfurled a lovely on driven four and a pulled boundary off Morne Morkel and lifted Johan Botha to the straight boundary to push New Zealand to 153 for 3 in the 38th over, but then fell, edging a slog on to his stumps against Morkel.

New Zealand sent in Kane Williamson and pressure escalated on Ryder to attack. Ryder tried but failed, top-edging a slog sweep off a delighted Tahir. With Ryder's exit New Zealand were on 157 for 5 by the 39th over and 250 went flying out of the window as they settled for a "decent" total. It was left to Williamson, who worked the angles with grunted pushes and punches, to lift New Zealand past 200. He lifted Robin Peterson for a six over long-on and punched Steyn to the extra cover boundary to give some joy to the New Zealand fans.

Imran Tahir

Credit must be given to South Africa, and Graeme Smith, who made innumerable bowling changes on this slow track. No bowler was exposed to any batsman for any length of period and barring Morkel, all the bowlers turned up with their A game. Morkel had an off day, struggling to find a nagging line or length and leaked almost six runs per over but redeemed himself somewhat by picking up a couple of wickets in the final overs.

It was Morkel who had allowed Ryder, and New Zealand, to break away initially at the start. Ryder made a scratchy start, playing too late on many deliveries, but broke free against Morkel, pulling and whiplashing him through the off side. Ryder also slapped Peterson for a couple of boundaries.

The back-lift was minimal, the foot movement was limited but precise, and the bat-speed increased tremendously whenever he unfurled those lashes through the off side. He brought up his fifty in the 22nd over and the hundred partnership with Taylor in the 30th over as New Zealand slowly moved towards a position of some comfort before it all went pear shaped.

Sriram Veera is a staff writer at ESPNcricinfo

New Zealand win by 49 runs

New Zealand win by 49 runs

South Africa 172/10 (43.0 ov)

South Africa require another 50 runs with 0 wicket and 42 balls remaining

Nathan McCullum takes NZ to brink

New Zealand v South Africa, World Cup 2011, quarter-final, Mirpur , Jacob Oram , Nathan McCullum

New Zealand stumble to 221 on slow track

South Africa attacked with spin and seam, shuffled their bowlers regularly like a pack of cards, and hustled on the field to keep a tight leash on New Zealand. Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor were at the forefront of a revival from the depths of 16 for 2 but their departure in quick succession left New Zealand scrambling towards a below-par total on a slow track.

Jacob Oram

Carefully, almost mindful of a potential lower-order collapse on this pitch, Ryder and Taylor battled through. The odd boundary signalled growing comfort, but they never broke away decisively. A nervy equilibrium had been reached by the end of the 30th over with New Zealand reaching 112 for 2 and the game was waiting to be seized. New Zealand, however, weren't brave enough, or skilful enough, to take it. They made couple of weak-hearted attempts but only stumbled and stuttered.

First, it was Taylor, who raised New Zealand hopes with a slog-swept six off Peterson in the 32nd over but soon exited, falling to the same shot. He top-edged a slog sweep off Imran Tahir in the 33rd over to cue charged-up celebrations from the bowler.

Next, it was the turn of Scott Styris to flatter and deceive. He unfurled a lovely on driven four and a pulled boundary off Morne Morkel and lifted Johan Botha to the straight boundary to push New Zealand to 153 for 3 in the 38th over, but then fell, edging a slog on to his stumps against Morkel.

New Zealand sent in Kane Williamson and pressure escalated on Ryder to attack. Ryder tried but failed, top-edging a slog sweep off a delighted Tahir. With Ryder's exit New Zealand were on 157 for 5 by the 39th over and 250 went flying out of the window as they settled for a "decent" total. It was left to Williamson, who worked the angles with grunted pushes and punches, to lift New Zealand past 200. He lifted Robin Peterson for a six over long-on and punched Steyn to the extra cover boundary to give some joy to the New Zealand fans.

Imran Tahir

Credit must be given to South Africa, and Graeme Smith, who made innumerable bowling changes on this slow track. No bowler was exposed to any batsman for any length of period and barring Morkel, all the bowlers turned up with their A game. Morkel had an off day, struggling to find a nagging line or length and leaked almost six runs per over but redeemed himself somewhat by picking up a couple of wickets in the final overs.

It was Morkel who had allowed Ryder, and New Zealand, to break away initially at the start. Ryder made a scratchy start, playing too late on many deliveries, but broke free against Morkel, pulling and whiplashing him through the off side. Ryder also slapped Peterson for a couple of boundaries.

The back-lift was minimal, the foot movement was limited but precise, and the bat-speed increased tremendously whenever he unfurled those lashes through the off side. He brought up his fifty in the 22nd over and the hundred partnership with Taylor in the 30th over as New Zealand slowly moved towards a position of some comfort before it all went pear shaped.

Sriram Veera is a staff writer at ESPNcricinfo

South Africa 172/9

South Africa 172/9 (42.5 ov)

South Africa require another 50 runs with 1 wicket and 43 balls remaining

Nathan McCullum takes NZ to brink

New Zealand v South Africa, World Cup 2011, quarter-final, Mirpur , Jacob Oram , Nathan McCullum

New Zealand stumble to 221 on slow track

South Africa attacked with spin and seam, shuffled their bowlers regularly like a pack of cards, and hustled on the field to keep a tight leash on New Zealand. Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor were at the forefront of a revival from the depths of 16 for 2 but their departure in quick succession left New Zealand scrambling towards a below-par total on a slow track.

Jacob Oram

Carefully, almost mindful of a potential lower-order collapse on this pitch, Ryder and Taylor battled through. The odd boundary signalled growing comfort, but they never broke away decisively. A nervy equilibrium had been reached by the end of the 30th over with New Zealand reaching 112 for 2 and the game was waiting to be seized. New Zealand, however, weren't brave enough, or skilful enough, to take it. They made couple of weak-hearted attempts but only stumbled and stuttered.

First, it was Taylor, who raised New Zealand hopes with a slog-swept six off Peterson in the 32nd over but soon exited, falling to the same shot. He top-edged a slog sweep off Imran Tahir in the 33rd over to cue charged-up celebrations from the bowler.

Next, it was the turn of Scott Styris to flatter and deceive. He unfurled a lovely on driven four and a pulled boundary off Morne Morkel and lifted Johan Botha to the straight boundary to push New Zealand to 153 for 3 in the 38th over, but then fell, edging a slog on to his stumps against Morkel.

New Zealand sent in Kane Williamson and pressure escalated on Ryder to attack. Ryder tried but failed, top-edging a slog sweep off a delighted Tahir. With Ryder's exit New Zealand were on 157 for 5 by the 39th over and 250 went flying out of the window as they settled for a "decent" total. It was left to Williamson, who worked the angles with grunted pushes and punches, to lift New Zealand past 200. He lifted Robin Peterson for a six over long-on and punched Steyn to the extra cover boundary to give some joy to the New Zealand fans.

Imran Tahir

Credit must be given to South Africa, and Graeme Smith, who made innumerable bowling changes on this slow track. No bowler was exposed to any batsman for any length of period and barring Morkel, all the bowlers turned up with their A game. Morkel had an off day, struggling to find a nagging line or length and leaked almost six runs per over but redeemed himself somewhat by picking up a couple of wickets in the final overs.

It was Morkel who had allowed Ryder, and New Zealand, to break away initially at the start. Ryder made a scratchy start, playing too late on many deliveries, but broke free against Morkel, pulling and whiplashing him through the off side. Ryder also slapped Peterson for a couple of boundaries.

The back-lift was minimal, the foot movement was limited but precise, and the bat-speed increased tremendously whenever he unfurled those lashes through the off side. He brought up his fifty in the 22nd over and the hundred partnership with Taylor in the 30th over as New Zealand slowly moved towards a position of some comfort before it all went pear shaped.

Sriram Veera is a staff writer at ESPNcricinfo