Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh lost to New Zealand by eight wickets in the first One Day International (ODI) match at Napier in New Zealand on Wednesday.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh scored 232 off 48.5 overs.
In reply, New Zealand reached the winning target making 233 for the loss of two wickets when they had 39 balls to spare. Bangladesh faced an early batting collapse as they lost four wickets for 42 runs. Then Mohammad Mithun and Mahmudullah Riyad contributed together 29 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Mahmudullah (13) was caught at the first slip by Ross Taylor off LH Ferguson when Bangladesh’s score was 71 for the loss of five wickets.
Mohammad Mithun top-scored with 62. His 90-ball innings had five fours. It was Mithun’s fourth ODI half-century.
After Riyad’s dismissal, Mithun and Mehidy Hasan Miraz put on together 37 runs in the seventh wicket stand before Miraz was caught at the short fine leg by James Neesham off MJ Santner when the team’s total was 131 for the loss of seven wickets. Then Mithun and Mohammad Saifuddin contributed together 84 runs in eight-wicket stand before Saifuddin was caught at the mid-wicket by Martin Guptill off Santner when the tourists’ score was 215 for the loss of eight wickets.
After Saifuddin’s departure, Mithun was clean bowled out by Santner when the visitors’ total was 229 for the loss of nine wickets.
Saifuddin notched up a polished 41. His 58-ball innings saw three fours.
Opener Soumya Sarkar made 30 from 22 balls featuring five fours and a sixer. Miraz scored 26 from 27 balls including three fours and a six.
TA Boult and MJ Santner grabbed three wickets each at the cost of 40 and 45 runs respectively.
Ferguson and MJ Henry bagged a pair of wickets each instead of 44 and 48 runs respectively.
Later, New Zealand made a devastating start as openers Guptill and HM Nicholls put on together 103 runs before Nicholls was bowled out by Miraz.
Guptill remained unbeaten with 117. His 116-ball superb innings was belted with four sixes and eight fours.
Nicholls hit a fine 53. His 94-ball innings laced with five fours.
After removal of Nicholls, Guptill and Williamson added 34 runs for the second wicket partnership before Williamson (11) was trapped leg before wicket by Mahmudullah Riyad when the hosts’ total was 137 for the loss of two wickets.
Later, Guptill and Ross Taylor contributed together 96 runs for the unbroken third wicket partnership and guided their team to reach the winning target. Taylor remained unbeaten with 45. His 49-ball sparkle innings was studded with six fours.
Mahmudullah and Miraz took one wicket each for 27 and 42 runs respectively. Martin Guptill was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding innings.
