Bangladesh made a disappointing start to the three-match ODI series by suffering a 44-run defeat to New Zealand on DLS method in rain-hit first match at University of Otago Oval in Dunedin today [17 december, 2023].
The match was reduced to 30 overs due to rain after which New Zealand which were asked to bat first, racked up 239-7, thanks to opener Will Young's third ODI century.
Bangladesh's revised target was set 245 in 30 overs on DLS method but the Tigers came up with their familiar mindless batting show on a good pitch once again as they were held back to 200-9.
The visitors indeed made a good start with the ball in a bid to secure their first ODI victory on New Zealand soil.
Pacer Shoriful Islam swung the ball admirably to deal a double strike in the very first over, dismissing new sensation Rachin Ravindra and Henry Nicholls -both for duck to leave the hosts a miserable 5-2.
But they failed to make the start count. Will Young and captain Tom Latham took Bangladesh attack in disdain thereafter, largely being aided by lackluster bowling and mediocre fielding effort.
Latham was survived twice before he struck a 77 ball-92, a knock laced with nine fours and 9 sixes.
Young's innings was more or less chanceless as he hammered 105 off 84, smashing `14 fours and four sixes.
He and Latham combined for a 171-run for the third wicket off 145 balls to get the side back on track. Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke the partnership by bowling Latham out as the batter was approaching his century.
Bangladesh then hit back with some quick wickets but Young kept hitting all the things coming to him to help the side post a total that looked respectable even on a good wicket.
Shoriful who has been in good form for sometimes now was the top wicket-taker for Bangladesh with 2-28 while Miraz took one wicket but for that he had to concede 53 runs in five overs.
Soumya Sarkar who gave away 63 runs in six overs came to open the innings and his woes compounded further when he got a four-ball-duck to give Bangladesh a horrible start.
Anamul Haque Bijoy who opened the innings with Soumya kept the runs flowing but New Zealand kept making inroads with Ish Sodhi taking out captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 15.
Debutant Josh Clarkson further jolted Bangladesh, dismissing Bijoy and Liton Das in his consecutive overs, leaving Bangladesh 4-92.
Bijoy made highest 43 before giving the return catch while Liton was caught in double minded while playing the slower bouncer as he edged behind on 19.
Senior batter Mushfiqur Rahim gifted his wicket by playing reverse sweep to be out on 4 as Bangladesh was virtually out of the game.
But Bangladesh still reached 200, largely thanks to Towhid Hridoy and Afif Hossian who played two fluent 30 plus knock.
Hridoy made 27 ball-33 and Afif contributed 28 ball-38. Later Mehidy Hasan hammered 21 ball-28 to reduce the margin of the defeat.
