ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 reasons why New Zealand didn't qualify for the semi-finals

#5 Shakib Al Hasan-Mahmudullah partnership

They stitched perhaps the best partnership in Bangladesh’s cricket history

Going into their last match, the Kiwis very well knew that a win against Bangladesh will seal their spot in the last four of the eight-nation tournament. Batting first, courtesy half centuries from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, Nz posted a total of 265 runs on the board.

Not an imposing total, but still defendable, even more so when Tim Southee swung a web around the Tigers and reduced them to 12 for the loss of three wickets. Milne dented Bangladesh's hope further by removing the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim 21 runs later.

The stage was set for New Zealand to take the game by the scruff of its neck and ensure they cross the finishing line without any hiccups. However, Shakib and Mahmudullah had other ideas.

They stitched perhaps the best partnership in Bangladesh’s cricket history, of 224 runs, with both of them hitting a century each. The Asian giants won the match with four overs to spare and moved to the last four at the cost of the Kiwis.