ZCZC
BSP-08
CRICKET-BD-NZ-WIN LEAD
Guptill stars again as NZ win ODI series
DHAKA, Feb 16, 2019 (BSS)- Opener Martin Guptill hit second consecutive
century as New Zealand took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI
series with an overwhelming eight-wicket victory in the second ODI held on
Saturday in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Chasing a moderate 227-run winning target, New Zealand hardly had to sweat
as they comfortable reached home for the loss of two wickets. Guptill, the
hero of the New Zealand first match win, also completed his 16th ODI century,
blasted 88-ball off 118-run and during the process he shared 133-run for the
second wicket stand with Kane Williamson as New Zealand chase down the
victory target with 83 balls to spare after New Zealand lost Henry Nicholls
for 14.
The right handed batsman Guptill smashed 14 boundaries and four over
boundaries to take his side closer to the victory target before he perished
to Mustafizur Rahman.
Skipper Kane Williamson completed the remaining formalities along with
Ross Taylor to remain unbeaten till the end of the innings.
Williamson composted 65-run off 86-ball with three boundaries while Taylor
made 21-run off 20-ball hitting three fours.
Pacer Mustafizur Rahman was the most successful bowler as he claimed two
New Zealand’s wickets giving away 42 runs.
Martin Guptill of New Zealand was named the player of the match for his
magnificent century.
Earlier, 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, after they were forced to bat first by New Zealand.
Mithun played a responsible knock off 57 off 69 deliveries with seven
fours and a 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 in to 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 as 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 as 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 capture a
wicket when 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 both
shared two wickets apiece giving away 21 and 52 runs respectively.
The third and final ODI between the two sides will be played on Wednesday
(February 20) in Dunedin.
Brief score:
Bangladesh – 226 for all in 49.4 overs, Mithun 57, Sabbir 43, Mushfiq 24,
Soumya 22, Ferguson 3/43 , Neesham 2/21, and Astle 2/52
New Zealand – 229 for 2 in 36.1 overs, Guptill 118, Williamson 65 n.o,
Taylor 21 n.o and Mustafizur 2/42.
BSS/SG/SSS/1123 hrs