Mithun, Sabbir take Bangladesh to 226 in 2nd ODI

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DHAKA, Feb 16, 2019 (BSS)- Mohammad Mithun scored his second successive
half-century against New Zealand as Bangladesh recovered from an early
collapse to post 226 for all in 49.4 overs against New Zealand in the second
one-day international in Christchurch on Saturday.

Mithun played a responsible knock off 57 off 69 deliveries with seven fours
and one six as with Bangladesh all out in the final over.

Bangladesh desperately needed to win the match to stay in the series after
losing the first ODI by eight wickets with Mithun rescued Bangladesh from
total embarrassment with a 62-run knocks.

Bangladesh plunged into a deep trouble when they slipped 5 for 93 after 21
overs before Mithun and Sabbir Rahman shared an important 75 runs partnership
for the sixth wicket.

The host, however, helped Bangladesh with 23 extras and some sloppy
fielding while Sabbir had fortune enough on his side when an edge off a Todd
Astle delivery nicked the stumps but the bails stayed on. Sabbir contributed
43 runs off 65 balls hitting seven boundaries before he was the victim of
Lockie Ferguson.

With the heavy overcast conditions, Bangladesh needed a conservative
approach at the top of their innings. But while they batted cautiously as
wickets fell at regular intervals.

Trent Boult sent back to opener Liton Das in the fourth over and when play
resumed after a brief rain disruption while Matt Henry dismissed opener Tamim
Iqbal for 5.

The visitors were reduced to 32 for 2 after 10 overs. Colin de Grandhomme
had an eventful first over that lasted 11 deliveries, included five wides and
also picked up the wicket of Soumya Sarkar, who once again convert his start
22 runs off 23 deliveries was caught by Ross Taylor.

In the following over, Lockie Ferguson lured a false shot from Mushfiqur
Rahim on 15 but Taylor put the chance down. While luck was with Rahim, who
had earlier been dropped on five, it seemed to have deserted Taylor who
dropped Mithun in Ferguson’s second over.

Ferguson had to wait until the last ball of his third over to captured a
wicket as he bowled Mushfiqur for 24. Todd Astle had success in his first
over with Mahmudullah caught behind for seven and later bowled Mithun.

Ferguson was the pick of New Zealand bowler as he grabbed 3 for 43 runs. He
was well supported by James Neesham and leg spinner Todd Astle who shared two
wickets apiece giving away 21 and 52 runs respectively.