Sports Reporter :
New Zealand clinched the One Day International (ODI) series 2-0 against Bangladesh after beating the touring side by eight wickets in the second ODI match at Christchurch in New Zealand on Saturday.
Sent into bat first, Bangladesh scored 226 off 49.4 overs.
In reply, New Zealand coasted home making 229 for the loss of two wickets when they had 83 balls to spare.
Bangladesh faced an early disaster as they lost three wickets for 48 runs.
Then Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun added together 33 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Mushfiqur Rahim (24) was bowled out by LH Ferguson when Bangladesh’s score was 81 for the loss of four wickets.
Fourth-down Mahmudullah Riyad (7) was caught behind by wicketkeeper TW Latham off TD Astle when the team’s total was 93 for the loss of five wickets.
After Riyad’s dismissal, Mohammad Mithun and Sabbir Rahman contributed together 75 runs for the sixth wicket partnership before Mithun was bowled by Astle when Bangladesh’s score was 168 for the loss of six wickets.
Mithun hit a sparkle 57. His 69-ball innings was laced with seven fours and a sixer. It was Mithun’s fifth ODI half-century.
After departure of Mithun, Bangladesh batsmen failed to build any notable partnership.
Sabbir Rahman made a sparkle 43. His 65-ball innings was studded with seven fours.
Ferguson grabbed three wickets at the cost of 43 runs, while JD Neesham and Astle bagged a pair of wickets each instead of 21 and 52 runs respectively.
Besides, Grandhomme, MJ Henry, Trent Boult took one wicket each for 25, 30 and 49 runs respectively.
Later, New Zealand made a good start as openers Martin Guptill and HM Nicholls put on together 45 runs before Nicholls (14) was caught at the deep square leg by Liton Das off Mustafizur Rahman.
Then Guptill and Kane Williamson put on together 143 runs for the second wicket partnership before Guptill was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Liton Das off Mustafizur Rahman when the hosts’ total was 188 for the loss of two wickets.
Guptill hit a terrific 118. His 88-ball innings was ornamented with four sixes and 14 fours. It was Guptill’s 16th ODI century.
After departure of Guptill, Williamson and Ross Taylor added together 41 runs for the unbroken third wicket stand and they chased the winning target.
Williamson remained unbeaten with 65. His 86-ball knock was decorated with three fours.
Mustafizur Rahman bagged a couple of wickets instead of 42 runs.
Martin Guptill was adjudged the Man of the Match.
