Bangladesh posted 244 all-out in 49.2 overs in their second World Cup game against New Zealand at the Oval, London on Wednesday.
Shakib Al Hasan was the highest run scorer for the Tigers hitting 64. Most of the Bangladeshi batsmen failed after settled in the middle. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad batted at the strike rate of 54.29 and 48.78 which were disappointing for the Tigers.
In 49.2 over, Bangladesh gave 142 dot balls which prevented them from posting a challenging total in a wicket that never looked tough for the batsman.
The Tigers started their innings on a positive note as the openers added 44 runs in the first eight overs. But in the ninth over, Bangladesh lost Soumya Sarkar. The southpaw was reckless to play the delivery off Matt Henry. The ball touched his pad before shattering his stumps. Before falling apart, Soumya added 25 off 25 deliveries with three fours.
After adding more 15 runs, Bangladesh lost the other opener- Tamim Iqbal- as well. He failed to play down a short-pitched delivery of Lockie Ferguson. Tamim managed an upper edge which was taken by Trent Boult.
In the third wicket stand, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim added 50 runs. They were looking to carry the Tigers to a big total but it was Mushfiqur who got dismissed while trying for a single which was never there.
Mushfiqur’s dismissal drove Bangladesh to a difficult situation as the strike rate fell anxiously. Mushfiqur added 19 off 39 balls. Mohammad Mithun joined the fourth wicket stand and made a little contribution scoring 26 off 33 with three fours.
Before Mithun’s departure, Bangladesh lost Shakib Al Hasan who hit a fifty and ended up on 64 off 68.
Mahmudullah played 41 balls to add 20 runs only. Mosaddek Hossain Saikat was also disappointing today as he added 11 off 22 balls. However, Mohammad Saifuddin was imperious adding 29 0ff 23 balls. Eventually, the Tigers tumbled for 244 all-out in 49.2 overs.
For New Zealand, Matt Henry took four wickets, including two in the last over, conceding 47 runs in 9.2 overs while Trent Boult bagged two wickets. –UNB, Dhaka
