In pursuit of a target of 255 runs against New Zealand, Bangladesh faltered, managing to score only 168 runs, resulting in an 86-run loss.
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first, amassing a challenging total of 254 runs in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday. While chasing the target, New Zealand’s leg-spinner, Ish Sodhi, bowled impressively, causing Bangladesh to be all out for 168 runs in 41.1 overs.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, New Zealand faced difficulties against the pace of the cutter master, Mustafizur Rahman. In the third over of the innings, opener Will Young was dismissed with a catch behind the wicket off ‘The Fiji.’ Young, who had been the top scorer with 58 runs in the first ODI of the series on Thursday, was out for a duck that day.
Mustafizur soon sent back Finn Allan, the other opener, who departed after offering a catch to Soumya Sarkar. With Finn’s departure, New Zealand lost both openers for just 26 runs.
Khaled Ahmed, the pacer making his debut in this match, struck for Bangladesh, removing Chad Bose, who fell victim to Tawhid Hriday’s catch. After his dismissal, New Zealand found themselves at 36 runs for the loss of three wickets in 7.5 overs.
Henry Nicholls and Tom Blundell steadied New Zealand’s innings, contributing 95 runs off 111 balls for the fourth wicket. Their partnership played a crucial role in New Zealand posting a substantial total.
New Zealand’s score reached 131 runs in 26.1 overs, but they then began losing wickets. Henry Nicholls became Khaled Ahmed’s second victim, scoring 49 runs off 61 balls.
Batting at the number six position, Rachin Ravindra managed to add 10 runs before falling victim to Sheikh Mehdi Hasan. Tom Blundell, with a notable contribution of 68 runs off 66 balls, including 6 fours and a six, became Hasan Mahmud’s victim.
Mackenzie was dismissed LBW by Nasum Ahmed, while Sheikh Mehdi claimed the wickets of Kyle Jamieson and Lockie Ferguson. Ish Sodhi was the last New Zealand batsman to be dismissed, scoring 35 runs.
Chasing the target of 255 runs, the Bangladesh team got off to a good start, reaching 60 runs for the loss of just one wicket.
However, Bangladesh struggled against the spin of Ish Sodhi, losing wickets rapidly. Tamim Iqbal, the country’s best opener, was dismissed, followed by Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, and Tawhid Hriday, all falling within a span of just 32 runs. Bangladesh found themselves in a precarious position.
Captain Liton Kumar Das was an early casualty, dismissed by a catch on the boundary. Young batsman Tanzid Hasan Tamim, batting at the number three position, managed to score 16 runs. Soumya Sarkar, who came in to bat next, was caught out without contributing much, bringing an end to his innings. Tawhid Hridoy, despite recent good form, could only score four runs.
Tamim, who had been batting brilliantly at the start, became Sodhi’s fourth victim, scoring 44 runs off 58 balls with seven boundaries. His dismissal saw Bangladesh lose their sixth wicket with the score at 92 runs in 18.5 overs.
Sheikh Mahedi Hasan contributed 17 runs off 29 balls before departing, while Mahmudullah Riyad scored 49 runs in 76 balls, including four boundaries and a six. Riyad’s dismissal marked the end of Bangladesh’s hopes for victory, and spectators began leaving the field.
Batting at number eight, spinner Nasum Ahmed put up a valiant fight despite the team’s imminent defeat. Nasum scored 21 runs off 30 balls, including two fours and a six, before becoming the ninth batsman to be dismissed.
With the dismissal of pacer Khaled Ahmed as the last batsman, Bangladesh’s innings came to a close at 168 runs in 41.1 overs. Ish Sodhi shone for New Zealand, taking 6 wickets for 39 runs in his 10 overs.
