CHITTAGONG (Bangladesh), Oct 21: New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori dashed Bangladesh’s hopes of a first major Test win on Tuesday with a fighting half-century as the tourists reeled in a mammoth target for victory in the first match.

Man-of-the-Match Vettori, who also took nine wickets, hit 76 to spare his team’s blushes as the tourists reached the required 317 for seven wickets after tea on the last day.

“I think it’s always important that the captain set the standards,” said Vettori. “But the other guys also contributed and we chased down 317 against a team which was very dominating and threatening.”

Bangladesh have never beaten a big Test-playing nation with their only win in 53 matches coming against Zimbabwe three years ago. For New Zealand, it was a record run-chase away from home after their 164-4 against Australia at Perth in 1985.

Vettori, 29, anchored the batting with his second half-century of the match at Divisional Stadium, sharing a solid 45-run stand for the third wicket with Aaron Redmond (79) and then 82 for the sixth wicket with Daniel Flynn (49).

Vettori admitted he was worried when star wicket-keeper/batsman Brendon McCullum fell lbw for two with the score at 216 for five.

“That was a moment of apprehension. He got a tough decision but then I got a good partner in Flynn and had a good partnership which was required at that time. I am pleased with the batting effort,” said the captain.

Vettori was finally bowled by left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak with just 19 needed for victory. He hit seven boundaries during his 214-ball knock and succeeded in countering the spin attack after promoting himself to number four.

With just one run needed, Flynn gave a simple catch off Shakib Al Hasan and it was left to Kyle Mills (1) to hit the winning run, with Jacob Oram remaining not out on eight.

Bangladesh had raised hopes of a famous victory when they removed Redmond and then Ross Taylor (9) to restrict the tourists to 212-4 at lunch.

They then dismissed McCullum, trapped by Razzak, but Vettori and Flynn batted with authority and aplomb to avert an embarrassing defeat.

Bangladeshi skipper Mohammad Ashraful threw everything at the tourists, even taking the second new ball after 83 overs.

Although that brought Taylor’s downfall, caught in the covers off Mashrafe Mortaza, it blunted whatever spin the slow bowlers were getting from the pitch.

Ashraful said Vettori had been his team’s saviour.

“It was a good game where we dominated most of the time but I think Vettori made the difference. It was a very good game and we look forward to the second Test to square this series,” said the Bangladeshi skipper.

Earlier Redmond and Vettori saw off the first hour after the tourists resumed at 145-2 until Bangladesh hit back through first-innings hero Shakib.

The left-arm spinner, who set a new Bangladesh innings record with figures of 7-36, had one turn sharply across Redmond’s bat and the edge was held low by Junaed Siddiqui at slip.

Redmond hit 10 boundaries in his 237-ball knock. The teams now move to Dhaka where the second Test starts from Oct 25.

Scoreboard

BANGLADESH (1st Innings) 245 (Mehrab Hossain Jr 83, Mushfiqur Rahim 79; D.L. Vettori 5-59).

NEW ZEALAND (1st Innings) 171 (D.L. Vettori 55 not

out; Shakib Al Hasan 7-36).

BANGLADESH (2nd Innings) 242 (Shakib Al Hasan 71; D.L. Vettori 4-74).

NEW ZEALAND (2nd Innings, overnight 145-2):

J.M. How b Razzak 36

A.J. Redmond c Junaed b Shakib 79

J.D. Ryder run out 38

D.L. Vettori b Razzak 76

L.R.P.L. Taylor c sub b Mashrafe 9

B.B. McCullum lbw b Razzak 2

D.R. Flynn c Naeem b Shakib 49

J.D.P. Oram not out 8

K.D. Mills not out 1

EXTRAS (B-13, LB-3, W-3) 19

TOTAL (for seven wkts, 137.5 overs) 317

FALL OF WKTS: 1-55, 2-145, 3-185, 4-209, 5-216, 6-298, 7-317.

BOWLING: Mashrafe Mortaza 14-4-37-1 (2w); Shahadat Hossain 11-1-46-0 (1w); Abdur Razzak 50-15-93-3; Shakib Al Hasan 44.5-17-80-2; Mehrab Hossain Jr 2-0-6-0; Naeem Islam 12-3-15-0; Mohammad Ashraful 4-0-24-0.

RESULT: New Zealand won by three wickets.

UMPIRES: D.J. Harper (Australia) and E.A.R. de Silva (Sri Lanka).

TV UMPIRE: Enamul Hoque (Bangladesh).

MATCH REFEREE: J. Srinath (India).

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Daniel Vettori.

SECOND TEST: Dhaka, Oct 25-29.—AFP