Guptill eyes hundred, New Zealand on course in chase

Sports Desk:  Bangladesh set a 233 runs winning target for New Zealand in the first ODI of the three-match series at McLean Park, Napier on Wednesday.

New Zealand: 206/2 * (40.6/50 ov, target 233)

Bangladesh were all out for 232 in 48.5 overst.

Brief score:

Bangladesh – 232 for all in 48.5 overs, Mithun 62, Saifuddin 41, Soumya 30, Mehedy 26, Boult 3/40, Santner 3/45, Ferguson 2/44 and Henry 2/48.
 

Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first against New Zealand in the first one-day international.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 232 after it had looked like the score would not get past the 150-run mark at one point when they lost their sixth-wicket for just 94 runs. Mohammad Mithun (62) and Mohammad Saifuddin (41) produced contributed with a record eighth-wicket partnership for Bangladesh in ODIs which allowed the Tigers to claw their way back into the game after things were unraveling for the Tigers.

Poor shot selection led to the unnecessary loss of wickets at crucial junctures after the New Zealand pace attack had made early inroads into the Tigers batting lineup. Mithun held the innings together with a commnedable and patient knock while all-rounder Saifuddin partnered him well to pull the Tigers out of trouble. Soumya Sarkar (30) and Mehedi Miraz (26) were the other contributors with the bat.

The tourists have never beaten the hosts in any format during four previous tours to New Zealand.

New Zealand:

Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Colin de Grandhomme, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Bangladesh:

Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah Riyad, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Mustafiqur Rahman

risingbd/Feb 13, 2019/Mukul