New Zealand rode on Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell's half centuries to thrash Bangladesh by eight wickets at the Chepauk stadium in Chennai on Friday as New Zealand continued their unbeaten run in the ODI World Cup 2023. This was New Zealand's third consecutive win in the ongoing ODI World Cup.
Williamson, who missed the first two matches after his ACL knee injury, made a resounding comeback with an impressive 78-run knock to help New Zealand chase down Bangladesh's 246-run target. After Williamson got retired hurt on 78 off 107 balls, Daryl Mitchell took up the mantle and proved his batting prowess yet again with an unbeaten 89 off 67 balls, peppered with six boundaries and four sixes. Meanwhile, Glenn Philips contributed with a quick 16 from just 11 balls.
Facing a target set by Bangladesh at 245/9, New Zealand had an early setback, losing the in-form Rachin Ravindra for just 9 runs off 13 balls. The star Kiwi player was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman. The Kiwi skipper then anchored the innings, partnering with Devon Conway who contributed 45 runs from 59 balls before falling victim to Shakib Al Hasan. Mitchell playing a perfect second fiddle accelerated the game ensuring New Zealand's comfortable victory.
Clinching their hat-trick of wins in the ongoing ODI World Cup, New Zealand first defeated defending champions England, then Netherlands and now Bangladesh. Williamson's men have certainly set the tone of their World Cup campaign
Earlier, despite a challenging start, Mushfiqur Rahim's solid 66 runs, along with contributions from Shakib al Hasan and Mahmudullah, enabled Bangladesh to set a target of 245/9 against New Zealand during their World Cup clash. Kiwi pacers capitalized on pitch conditions, with Ferguson emerging as the top wicket-taker.
In an intense ICC World Cup fixture, Bangladesh's seasoned player, Mushfiqur Rahim, rose to the occasion by crafting a valuable 66-run innings, leading the team to a respectable score of 245/9. Facing a formidable New Zealand bowling lineup, Rahim's 75-ball inning, complemented by captain Shakib al Hasan's 40 and Mahmudullah's 41, helped Bangladesh recover from an early setback of 56/4 in the 13th over.
The match commenced on a challenging note for the Tigers. Litton Das was sent back to the pavilion without adding any score, courtesy of Trent Boult's excellent delivery, which Das attempted to flick only to be caught by Matt Henry.
Attempting to stabilize the innings, Tanzid Hasan (16) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (30) built a partnership. Tanzid's innings, however, came to an end at the hands of Lockie Ferguson, with Devon Conway making no mistake in square leg. Adding to their woes, in quick succession, Miraz was dismissed by Ferguson and Najmul Hossain Shanto fell to spinner Glenn Phillips.
Amidst the setbacks, a silver lining emerged for Bangladesh in the form of a 96-run partnership between Shakib and Mushfiqur. Shakib, though, faced challenges with the humid conditions and, after a medical break, succumbed to Ferguson's delivery in the 30th over.
Throughout the game, the pitch seemed to favor the pace bowlers, and Ferguson effectively utilized this to his advantage. Contrary to the spinner-friendly pitch seen during the India-Australia match, this wicket posed different challenges.
Mushfiqur, however, displayed resilience, bringing up his commendable 48th ODI half-century. But his resistance ended in the 36th over when Matt Henry delivered a masterful slower off-cutter, dismantling the stumps.
Further contributions from Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed added valuable runs. Bangladesh's innings concluded with the team losing Mustafizur Rahman in the 48th over, but the final batting duo managed to utilize the remaining balls.
From New Zealand's bowling front, Lockie Ferguson emerged as the top performer with figures of 3/49. Trent Boult, besides claiming 2/45, achieved the significant milestone of his 200th ODI wicket. Spinner Mitchell Santner, with his disciplined bowling, ended with an economical 1/31 in his 10-over spell.
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