Match 11: Bangladesh 245/9 (50 overs) defeated by New Zealand 248/2 (42.5)
New Zealand yesterday secured a third win in as many starts in their Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign, though it came at a price with Kane Williamson retiring hurt with an apparent thumb injury.
The Kiwis made light work of chasing down Bangladesh’s 245 in Chennai, winning by eight wickets, though the victory was soured when the skipper was forced to retire hurt on 78.
Williamson looked ginger running between the wickets throughout the innings, and was hurt after an infield throw struck his left hand while completing a run.
Bangladesh too are awaiting news on their captain, with Shakib Al Hasan injuring his left quad. The skipper left for scans and could be in doubt for their meeting with India on 19 October.
Despite the early loss of Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand looked a cut above in the chase, beginning with an 80-run partnership between Devon Conway and the returning skipper, who replaced Will Young.
Conway fell lbw to Shakib for 45, though it did little to slow down the Black Caps, as the dependable Daryl Mitchell joined Williamson in the middle.
The No.4 showed calm throughout his knock, almost belying the speed he travelled in the knock, hitting six fours and four sixes in his knock of 89* from just 67 balls. Glenn Phillips’ 16* (11) ensured a flying finish to juice the net run rate, though his participation in the innings only came about by his skipper walking off with his injury.
Williamson tried to carry on after the incident, though made his way off the field after a second consultation with the team doctor. It remains unclear how serious the injury is, though his gingerly nature running between the wickets is also a cause for concern.
Earlier, New Zealand kept Bangladesh to 245, pulling ahead in the middle of Bangladesh’s innings, as Shakib Al Hasan’s side were held at bay through a strong collective bowling effort.
Lockie Ferguson (3/49) and Mitchell Santner (1/31) were excellent at wrestling control, as Bangladesh crumbled from 152/4 to 180/7, with Ferguson eventually crowned Player of the Match. It was Trent Boult who capitalised on the smart work of his teammates for the seventh wicket of the innings, bowling a knuckle slower ball to dismiss Towhid Hridoy for 13. It was Boult’s 200th wicket of his ODI career.
Mahmudullah Riyad’s efforts to piece together the backend of the innings went largely in vain, though was helped by the tail with 56 runs in the final 10 overs.
Bangladesh’s innings began in the worst possible fashion, losing birthday boy Litton Das off the first ball.
Despite performing exceptionally in the last game, the right-hander tried to make a statement, though ended up finding Matt Henry on the boundary off the bowling of Boult. All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped calm the nerves with some intent-driven batting along with Tanzid Hasan, though Lockie Ferguson put the Kiwis ahead when he dismised Tanzid for 16.
Ferguson had his second when he claimed Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and in the next over, Najmul Hossain Shanto fell to Glenn Phillips for seven.
The Tigers then looked to their veterans, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, for answers. The duo got Bangladesh innings back on track with a fighting stand. Mushfiqur took the lead, batting at a brisk pace while also rotating the strike, as Bangladesh reached 100 in the 21st over.
After the mid-innings mark, Shakib and Mushfiqur continued the repair job with aplomb. After a slow start, Shakib too got into the act. He hit a four and a six off Rachin Ravindra in the 29th over. He followed this with a six against Ferguson in the next over. However, his aggressive act got the better of him off the very next ball.
Ferguson bounced the skipper and Shakib’s pull was a top-edged, which floated up and was eventually taken by the keeper Tom Latham
Mushfiqur’s fighting knock of 66, which comprised of six fours and two sixes, finally came to an end in the 36th over when he was outfoxed by a slower one from Matt Henry.
Playing XIs:
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Bangladesh: Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam
