Tri-series, NZ v BAN, 3rd ODI Review: Kiwis ease past Bangladesh to register second win

Team Bangladesh were left unimpressed with their first outing in Ireland in the ongoing Tri-series. There was very little that the either sides could do though as the first match of the series between Ireland and Bangladesh was washed out. The second game was a complete game that saw the New Zealand side overcome the Irish spirit. Now, the action stayed at Dublin for the 3rd ODI of the series.

The Bangladeshi side took on the blackcaps in the match that was expected to serve as their preparatory ground for the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy. Going into the game, it was the New Zealand skipper Tom Latham who won the toss and opted to field first. The Kiwis rested Scott Kuggeleijn was rested and Hamish Bennett was drafted in the playing eleven.

On the other hand, the Bangladesh team received the boost of their skipper Mashrafe Mortaza. Mortaza did not play the last game since he was serving his one-match ban handed to him in Sri Lanka due to slow over rate. In walked Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar to open the innings for the Bangladeshi side. Both players got off to a decent start despite the fact that the ball was seaming big time.

They added 72 runs for the first wicket before James Neesham got the first breakthrough for the Kiwis in the 16th over. He ended Tamim’s struggle of 42 deliveries that yielded only 23 runs. Sabbir Rahman’s stay was cut short in the very next over as Mitchell Santner got him dismissed on 1. Mushfiqur Rahim came in to join Sakar at the crease. As Rahim settled down at the crease, Sarkar went past his fifty in fine fashion. He was sent packing after having scored 61 off 67 balls with 5 fours to his name.

It was in the 25th over when Sarkar was dismissed by Ish Sodhi. Shakib Al Hasan (6) had a very short stay as he became Sodhi’s second scalp in the match. Mahmudullah joined Rahim to lead the counter attack from 132/4 in almost 29 overs. Both batsmen played some free flowing shorts. It was only a matter of time that they notched up their fifties in the game. Rahim perished soon after reaching his fifty in the 38th over.

His knock of 55 came off 66 deliveries with 4 fours and a six as Neesham got his second wicket. Mosaddek Hossain Saikat and Mahmudullah used the long handle to good use. Mahmudullah (51) and Saikat (41) ensured that the Bangladesh team posted 157/9 in their 50 overs as wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Hamish Bennett ran through the lower order including the wickets of Saikat and Mahmudullah to finish with 3/31.

In the run chase, skipper Tom Latham and Luke Ronchi got off to a flying start in the match. Ronchi, in particular, looked threatening during his run-a-ball 27 that was studded with 4 fours and a six. He was dismissed in the 7th over by Mustafizur Rahman. George Worker, the half-centurion from the previous game, could only add 17 runs in this game before being run out by Sabbir Rahman. Ross Taylor and Latham then shared a brief 30-run stand to take the Kiwi total past 100-run mark.

In the process, Latham brought up his century to get some sort of form back. He was dismissed in the 21st over by Rubel Hossain on 54 that came off 64 balls with 3 fours and a six. Taylor (25) perished soon after as he was dismissed lbw by Mustafizur. Neil Broom and Jimmy Neesham then took the attack to the opposition to steer New Zealand closer to a win. They added 80 runs for the fifth wicket in just 75 deliveries. The stand was broken when Broom became Rubel’s second victim after having scored 48 off 65 balls.

However, the quick 52 off 48 balls that Neesham made had New Zealand in striking distance of the victory. Mortaza got his wicket but it was a little too late. New Zealand chased the target with 4 wickets in hand and 15 balls to spare. Bangladesh found no bowlers being good enough to provide resistance to the Kiwi batsmen.

Brief Scores:

Bangladesh 257/9 in 50 overs (Sarkar 61, Rahim 55, Bennett 3/31, Sodhi 2/40)

New Zealand 258/6 in 47.3 overs (Latham 54, Neesham 52, Mustafizur 2/33, Rubel 2/53)

Check the full scorecard here.