Chennai: New Zealand have secured a third win in as many starts to begin their Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign, though it’s come at a price with Kane Williamson retiring hurt with an apparent thumb injury.
The Kiwis made light work of chasing down Bangladesh’s 245, 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, though 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 has left for scans and is in doubt for their meeting with India on 19 October.
New Zealand pulled ahead in the middle of Bangladesh’s innings, as Shakib Al Hasan’s side were 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.
It was Trent Boult to capitalise on the smart work of his teammates, bowling a knuckle slower ball to dismiss Towhid Hridoy for 13 for the seventh scalp. 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.
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 Trent Boult.
All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz walked in at number three, and helped calm the nerve with some intent-driven batting. Along with Tanzid Hasan, he unleashed a flurry of boundaries to get Bangladesh going at six per over by the fifth over.
However, Lockie Ferguson brought the Kiwis right back into the game when he got Tanzid caught on the on-side for 16. This was the third consecutive time that Tanzid failed to get going in this tournament.
The Black Caps continued striking with the ball after the first Powerplay. Ferguson had his second when Mehidy struck one straight to the Fine Leg. In the very 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. And 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 well. 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 bowled a bouncer, and Shakib went for a pull. But all he could manage was a top-edge which floated up and was eventually taken by the keeper.
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.
While New Zealand have won both their encounters in the Cricket World Cup, Bangladesh won their opening game in Dharamsala before losing to England at the same venue.
