Bangladesh VS New Zealand ODI Series
3rd Match Played at SBNCS, Meerpoor, Dhaka on 26 September 2023
New Zealand 175/3 in 34.5 Overs (Will Young 70, Henry Nicholls 50, Shoriful Islam 2/32, Nasum Ahmed 1/52)
Bangladesh 171 All Out in 33.5 Overs (Nazmul Hasan Shanto 76, Mahmudullah Riad 21, Mushfiqur Rahim 18, Tawhid Hridoy 18, Adam Milne 4/34, Cole McComchi 2.18, Trent Boult 2/33, Lockie Ferguson 1/26, Rachine Ravindra 1/20)
New Zealand won the Match by 7 Wickets, won the series 2-0
Player of the Match: Will Young
Player of The Series: Henry Nicholls
All guns blazing New Zealand battered, bruised, and humiliated top less and bottom less Bangladesh with a punishing 7 wickets defeated in a completely one-sided match at SBNCS on Tuesday.
Black Caps won the 3 matches ODI series. The first match was rain ruined. New Zealand sending a depleted team to Bangladesh had their mission accomplished. High sounding proved no match for them. Bangladesh was completely outplayed in its last series before the all-important world cup. More bad news for them was that Bangladesh had to announce its 15 members World Cup squad leaving unfit Tamim Iqbal. Batting first after winning the toss Bangladesh managed scoring well below par 171 all out in 33.5 Overs. New Zealand cruised over scoring 175/3 in 34.5 Overs.
It may be remembered that even the full-strength New Zealand experienced comprehensive series whitewash against Bangladesh more than once in the past. It was a shocking series defeat for Bangladesh after not too successful Asia Cap mission. Team management has no answer for their experiments. Bangladesh goes to World as the worst prepared team.
Bangladesh does not learn lessons. Another series of three ODI matches is currently reaching completion in India between host India and strong Australia. India rested their key players for the first two matches but brought all back for the last match. Why did Bangladesh not follow that even after finding possibility of comprehensive series defeat? Why did captain Shakib not take charge? What experiment Bangladesh made even at their last match before the team finished its preparation for World Cup?
As has been panned out this Bangladesh team proved top less with all those tasked to open the innings failed so far. Tamim is unfit and omitted from the squad, Litton is completely out of form, it is hot and cold for Towhid Hridoy. Even though Mahmudullah Riad returned yet the late middle order and tail look awfully out of sorts. In two matches of the series including 3 of the 5 matches Bangladesh played in Asia cup could not last for 50 overs. Team management -selectors, head coach and Captain Shakib must take the blame for the pathetic state of the team.
Yesterday stand in captain Nazmul Shanto won the toss and dared to opt for batting under dark cloudy sky in perfectly swinging condition. New Zealand possesses a very strong and fiery pace attack. Adam Milne, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson moved the ball in the air and off the seam at pace. Zakir had horror as he was baptized, Tanzid Tamim’s struggle continued, Tawhid Hridoy found it tough going. Bangladesh lost 3 wickets for 35 runs before captain Nazmul Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim could take charge. Milne and Boult were breathing fire. The third wicket partnership added 53 runs and was looking to consolidate. Mushfique got a fast in swinging delivery from Ferguson which he defended with an angled bat, but the ball unfortunately rolled back and disturbed his furniture. Mahmudullah joined Shanto who looked solid and safe. This pair added 49. Mahmudullah reached an enviable milestone of 5000 ODI runs as 4th player doing the same for Bangladesh after Tamim, Mushfique and Shakib. Riad just started unfurling when after drinks break, he got a very difficult delivery from Milne which got him caught behind. Mahmudullah fell at 137. The last 6 wickets were blown away for 34 runs. Mushfique, Mahmudullah and Shanto all fell after a brief drinks break. Shanto continued his great form with the bat scoring another fluent 76 in 84 deliveries. Bangladesh once again failed to bat 50 overs getting all out for 171 in only 33.5 Overs. In the second match Ish Sodhi proved mysterious for Bangladesh batsmen with his leg spin and googlies. Yesterday it was sheer pace and swing of Milne (4/34), Boult (2/33) and Ferguson (1/26) that rattled Bangladesh.
Sun started shining brightly for New Zealand when they started their chase. Shoriful and Hasan Mahmood off course moved the new ball prodigiously. But with a very limited score to defend and New Zealand batsmen better equipped with skill and temperament it was already a lost case. Shoriful with two lovely deliveries struck double blows removing Finn and debutant Foxcroft off successive deliveries. He almost got a hat trick. But Will Young (70) and Henry Nicholls (50) two most successful black cap batsmen of the series led the victory march of the team putting together 81 runs for the third wicket partnership. New Zealand winning big by 7 wickets rocked Bangladesh. It was a comprehensive 2-0 series win for the tourist.
Another failed series which also could not solve many puzzles. Bangladesh does not have a settled opening partnership as they go for the Asia Cup. Unfit Tamim is excluded from the squad. Litton is completely out of touch. Rookie Tanzid Tamim looks under cooked. Great that Mahmudullah Riad is back with back-to-back performance. Bangladesh has no option but hope and pray that they can make the best use of the two practice matches against Sri Lanka and England before they start their mission World Cup against Afghanistan at Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh on 7th October. The frustrating situation is that Bangladesh in their 5 of the last 7 ODI matches failed to bat 50 overs. All mighty only knows where the cure is.
New Zealand on the other hand had mission accomplished. Will Young, Henry Nicholls and Tom Blundell batted well. Boult, Ferguson, Milne, Sodhi bowled well and got used to conditions. These will auger well for them in the World Cup.
BDST: 1125 HRS, SEP 27, 2023
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