DHAKA, Dec 17, 2023 (BSS)- Bangladesh stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his disappointment at losing the three-match ODI series opening game to New Zealand by 44 runs despite making a good start with the ball at University of Otago Oval in Dunedin.

    Pacer Shoriful Islam dealt a double blow in the first over, leaving New Zealand to 5-2 but the home side recovered from the early setback to post 239-7 in the game that was shortened to 30 overs after being hit by rain.

    Bangladesh were restricted to 200-9, as their target was set 245 in 30 overs on DLS method.

    Shanto said the game could have been different if they could take the third wicket early. Instead Will Young and captain Tom Latham who survived twice, added 171-run to take the game away from Bangladesh.

    "The result was very disappointing but if we can take the third wicket early, it could have been a different game," he said after the match.

    He was also disappointed by the performance of the spinners with team's main spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz conceding 53 runs in five overs while Afif Hossain gave away 17 runs in his only over.

    "The fast bowlers bowled well..Shrofiul took two wickets in the first over but the spinners couldn't keep up the pressure. The spinners need to learn quickly to how they should bowl in this wicket," he remarked.

    Anamul Haque Bijoy made team-high 43 for Bangladesh while Soumya Sarkar on whom the side pinned high hopes, got a duck in the first ball after giving away 63 runs in six overs.

    Bijoy however admitted his fault, saying that he needs to learn how to prolong the innings after getting set.

    "We have to learn quickly to how we can make our innings long after getting set. Today I got the opportunity but I couldn't do it. Similarly when others will get the chance another day, they should make it long," he said.

    He said the Black Caps bowlers got the bounce due to their height and the bounce mainly helped them cut through Bangladesh innings.

     'We have to adjust with the bounce. All of them are tall and due to their height they got extra bounce, which mainly caused our dismissal. Hopefully we would learn quickly to deal with the bounce."

    New Zealand opener Will Young who was adjudged man of the match for his century said his first priority was to steady the innings after its disastrous start.

    "Tommy and I set up a nice partnership although it was on and off with the rain," Young said.

    "We came back on with 10 overs to go and we thought why not have a crack? And it came off today. It was nice to get a few out of the middle at the end and it's the icing on the cake to finish with a win."