The Chittagong lad, who will celebrate his 19th birthday on November 10, returned figures of five for 31 to send panic waves through the New Zealand camp and almost turned a mismatch into a memorable contest single-handedly. The feat also took him straight into the record books as he became the first Bangladeshi bowler to grab a 5-wicket haul in one-day internationals.

It is hard to believe that Aftab, a specialist top order batsman, was only given the ball as fifth change because Bangladesh went into the game a bowler short. It was also the first time Aftab had bowled in an ODI.

But his in-swinging seamers bowled off a relaxed run-up had more venom than anyone contemplated on either side and he never strayed an inch in line or length.

Joining the attack in the 18th over, Aftab found prodigious swing and seam movement under lights and the occasional bounce just spelt more worries for the Black Caps.

He made the breakthrough by removing Nathan Astle and that many considered a bonus. Not Aftab though. His eyes and heart believed in more and the youngster removed Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris and Brendon McCullum in a sensational ten overs bowled on the trot.

"My initial target was to help the team by bowling four or five overs. It was an instruction and I wanted to bowl on a good line to check runs. I never thought I would do anything like this," said an elated Aftab who surpassed Tapash Baisya's 4-16, the previous best bowling figures for the Tigers.

Adjudged man-of-the-match for his fantastic effort, Aftab revealed that it was the first time ever that he was bowling in Dhaka.

"I have never even bowled in any club match here but I bowl in Chittagong. Dav (coach Whatmore) noticed me bowling in the nets during the ICC Champions Trophy and inspired me to take it seriously. I think from now on I'll try to prepare myself more as an all-rounder," said Aftab.

Whatmore was also delighted with the bowling feat of the teenager.

"Aftab pleased me. I have been encouraging him for the past few weeks about bowling but I am really surprised that he got five wickets. The way he took the challenge was really inspiring for the team," said the Australian.

FACTBOX
Player	Against	Best Bowling	Year
Aftab Ahmed	New Zealand	5-31	2004
Tapash Baisya	West Indies	4-16	2004
Khaled Mahmud	Zimbabwe	4-19	2004
Saiful Islam	Sri Lanka	4-36	1994
Nazmul Hossain	New Zealand	4-40	2004
Tapash Baisya	Pakistan	4-56	2003
Hasibul Hossain	Kenya	4-56	1998
Talha Jubair	South Africa	4-65	2002