ISLAMABAD: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and Darly Mitch drove New Zealand into an easy victory by 8 wickets against Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup contest being played here in Chennai, India, on Friday. Williamson scored 78 while leaving the field and retired hurt. Daryl Mitchel was unbeaten on 89 while facing just 67 balls. His inning included 4 sixes and 6 boundaries. By winning the contest, New Zealand reached on top in the points table with 3 consecutive wins.
Chasing 246 to win both openers of New Zealand took a steady start. The side lost their first wicket in the third over when inform Ravindra was removed by Mustafizur Rehman on 9 runs in the 3rd over of the inning. After the first loss, Kiwis batters remained cautious and pushed the inning with a slow pace. However, after the powerplay, Devon Conway and Williamson accelerated the run rate. Bangladesh took the second wicket when Conway was bowled leg before the wicket by Shakib Al Hasan on 45. At the stage, the score was 92 in the 2nd over. Conway was replaced by Daryl Mitchel, who along with Williamson, managed to take their side closer to the target. After completing their half-centuries, both batters pushed the scoreboard forward with ease while taking the game away from Bangladesh. After smashing a sparkling 78, Williamson left the field and retired hurt, as this was his first game in the tournament after the injury. At the stage, New Zealand were 198 for 2 in 38 overs. Mitchel was joined by number 5 batter Glen Philips.
Both the batters easily guided the side into an 8-wicket victory against their opponents with 7.1 overs to spare. Daryl Mitchel remained unbeaten with a terrific inning of 89 of 67 balls.
From Bangladesh, Mutafizur Rehman and Shakib were the only two successful bowlers, grabbing one wicket each.
Bangladesh Batting Against New Zealand
Earlier, 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 3 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 three 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
