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Will Young's stunning century helped New Zealand recover from an early setback to defeat Bangladesh by 44 runs in the rain-impacted first ODI on Sunday. The game in Dunedin was reduced to 30 overs per side following three rain interruptions during New Zealand's innings. The hosts rallied late to set a challenging total of 239/7.
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Bangladesh, facing a revised winning target of 245 in the first match of the three-game series, was limited to 200/9, losing momentum in their chase.
New Zealand made a comeback after a rough start, losing two wickets in the very first over to Shoriful Islam, who dismissed Rachin Ravindra and Henry Nicholls for ducks. A crucial 171-run partnership for the third wicket between Young, who scored 105 from 84 deliveries, and captain Tom Latham, who contributed 92 runs, shifted the balance in favor of the home team. The match was played under consistently overcast conditions.
The partnership between Young and Latham weathered two interruptions, resulting in the reduction of their innings first from 46 to 40 and then to 30 overs. In the final 10.4 overs, the duo unleashed a fierce attack, amassing an impressive 131 runs.
Latham missed out on his eighth ODI century, dismissed by offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, while Young continued to excel, reaching his third century in one-day internationals before being run out in the last over.
Shoriful Islam emerged as the standout bowler for Bangladesh, claiming 2 wickets for 28 runs in six overs.
Bangladesh's chase started off strong, with opener Anamul Haque scoring 43. He was well-supported by Towhid Hridoy (33) and Liton Das (22), each scoring at a rate exceeding a run per ball.
The chase lost momentum after Afif Hossain was dismissed for a quick 38 in the 24th over, leaving Bangladesh 80 runs shy of the target. New Zealand's Josh Clarkson, on his debut, returned the best bowling figures of 2/24, alongside fellow debutant seamer William O’Rourke. As the series moves to Nelson and Napier next week, Bangladesh will aim for their first ODI victory on New Zealand soil after 17 losses.
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