ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh Skipper Shakib-ul-Hasan and inform Mushfiq-ur-Rahim came in the middle to rescue their side from a low total against Kiwis in the ICC World Cup contest being played here in Chennai, India, on Friday. Despite losing early wickets, both batters managed to take their side to a moderate total of 245 runs against New Zealand.
After winning the toss, New Zealand decided to bowl first. Kiwis pacer Trend Boult took the first wicket on his first ball while dismissing opener Litton Das for zero. In the 8th over, Bangladesh lost their second wicket when Tanzid Hassan was removed by Ferguson on 16. The batting side lost their third and fourth wicket on 56 when both Mehidy Hasan and Shanto were dismissed in the 12th and 13th over, taking the side under pressure.
At the stage, the skipper Shakib and Mushfiq took charge and showed resistance against the Kiwis’ face attack. Both the batters managed to take their side out of the worst situation and added a valuable 96-run partnership for the side. Mushfiq also completed his half-century. However, when the core reached 152 in the 30th over, Ferguson removed Shakib on 40. In the 36th over, Mushfiq also got out while scoring 66 runs on 75 balls. After Mushfiq and Shakib other batters added little to the total except Mahmudullah who stayed on the crease till the last pair. Mahmudullah added 41 crucial runs to the total to take Bangladesh to 245 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 50 overs.
From New Zealand, Ferguson was the most successful bowler taking 3 wickets while conceding 49 runs in his 10 over spill. Boult and Henry took two wickets each, while Santner and Philips managed to grab one wicket each.
New Zealand Squad
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham †, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult
Bangladesh Squad
Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hassan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmad, Mustafizur Rehman and Shoriful Islam
