Sodhi helps New Zealand rout Bangladesh in 2nd ODI

Sports Mail24
Published: 10:47PM. 23 Sep 2023
Sodhi helps New Zealand rout Bangladesh in 2nd ODI

Bangladesh suffered a 86-run defeat to New Zealand in the second match of three-match ODI series after failing to deal with Ish Sodhi's legspin at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

This was the first time since 2008, they conceded a defeat to New Zealand in an ODI match at home. Bangladesh won a five-match series by 4-0 in 2010 and then swept New Zealand in three-match series in 2013 at home.

Sodhi was the wrecker-in-chief as he became the first New Zealand spinner to claim a six-wicket haul in ODIs. He also contributed 35 with the willow before registering his career-best 6-39 to single-handedly sink Bangladesh.

After opting to bat first, New Zealand put up 254 before being all out in 49.2 overs and then defended the total with ease, wrapping up Bangladesh for 168 in 41.1 overs.

For Bangladesh Mahmudullah Riyad made highest 49 and Tamim Iqbal scored 44.

Bangladesh indeed started the chase confidently with Tamim Iqbal, who returned to the side after recovering from the back injury, finding boundaries at regular interval.

Pacer Kyle Jameison removed captain Liton Das for 6 after the batter reprieved by DRS in the first over of the chase.

With Tanzid Hasan Tamim also bringing up the boundaries at ease with senior Tamim, Bangladesh appeared to be clear favourite.

But Sodhi sparked the collapse as Bangladesh was reduced to 92-5 from 60-1 in just eight overs. He started with the wicket of Tanzid (16) and then took the crucial wicket of Tamim, who threw his wicket, trying to sweep against a googly.

Sodhi also removed Soumya Sarkar, who played his first match after two years, for duck and got the better of inform Towhid Hridoy for 4.

Mahmudullah and Mahedi Hasan resisted, sharing 42-run before Sodhi knocked out the latter for his maiden five-for.

Offspinner Cole McConchie had Mahmudullah caught by Finn Allen at short fine leg after he made team-best 49. Nasum Ahmed scored 21 but that only reduced the margin of the defeat.

New Zealand's start was not ideal one but they put up a energetic show to hit back nicely.

Tom Blundell was the top-scorer for New Zealand, striking 68 off 66 with six fours and one six, his only second fifty plus knock in his eight-match ODI career. Henry Nicholls, who made 44 in the rained-out first ODI, this made also missed out his fifty by being out on 49.

Debutant Syed Khaled Ahmed and offspinner Mahedi Hasan claimed three wickets apiece while fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman took two.

Mustafizur once again shined with new ball, reducing New Zealand to 26-2 after the visitors opted to bat first. He removed Will Young, who made 58 in the first match, for duck and then claimed the wicket of Finn Allen for 12.

Khaled got into the act wicket the wicket of Chad Bowes for 14, as New Zealand slumped to 36-3 in eighth over.

Nicholls and Blundell got the side back on track, playing with caution and aggression, as they combined for a 95-run for the fourth wicket, highest for New Zealand in this stand at Mirpur venue.

They also dealt with the spinners astutely, keeping the side aloft over Bangladesh. However Khaled in his second spell broke the dangerous partnership as Nicholls edged behind after hitting six fours.

Blundell unleashed his attacking batting at this phase to keep the scoreboard ticking as he brought up his fifty off 54 balls, driving left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed's flighted delivery to long-on for a single.

Pacer Hasan Mahmud gave Bangladesh a relief, uprooting Blundell's stump with a pinch perfect Yorker.

Bangladesh spinners then took the charge and claimed some quick wickets before Ish Sodhi propelled the side past 250-run mark.

In 46th over, Hasan Mahmud inflicted a run on Sodhi who was in the non striker end as he stepped out of the crease while the bowler was about to bowl. The dismissal is popularly called Mankad, which is considered to the anti spirit of the cricket but this kind of dismissal is normal in cricket these days.

After showing the replay, umpire though gave him out, Bangladesh captain Liton Das and bowler Hasan Mahmud called him back again.

Sodhi who was then 17, went on to score 35 with three sixes. He was however the last man out when Khaled got the better of him to finish on 3-60 on his debut.

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