Cricket: Vettori defends dismissal

Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan. Photo / Getty Images

Dan Vettori last night said New Zealand had done the right thing over the dismissal of Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan.

Shakib, on 87, was given out caught by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum despite television replays suggesting it was at best a hairline call as the player stretched forward to scoop up the catch.

New Zealand skipper Vettori said McCullum told him he was unsure of the catch and asked that he check with the umpires.

"Brendon wasn't 100 per cent. I asked them [the umpires] and they were happy with it carrying. They were confident Brendon caught it, so we did everything we could on our part."

Vettori, who said he had not seen a replay of the incident, pointed out Shakib had the right to seek a referral of the decision, but didn't.

The immediate assumption of the batsman at the other end, century-maker Mahmudullah, was that the catch was fair "by the way the New Zealanders were coming [together]".

"The boys were unhappy that Shakib didn't get 100 but that's part of the game, part of life."

Vettori, while disappointed with New Zealand's bowling, praised Shakib and Mahmudullah. whose 145-run stand put real substance into Bangladesh's total.

"I was not surprised. I can't praise them enough. Mahmudullah is not your genuine No 8 batsmen. He can play and played very well today," Vettori said.

"They put away every bad ball and put us under pressure. We had no excuses. Our seamers need to execute better."

Mahmudullah is batting far too low at No 8, but will leave it to the coaches to decide whether he moves up the order.

"I'm not sure. It is on the coach's [Jamie Siddons] mind what to do but right now I'm very happy with the way the team are going."