DHAKA, – Bangladesh conceded the three-match series against New Zealand after losing the second ODI by five wickets at Hagley Oval in Christchurch today. By virtue of the victory, New Zealand took an unassailable 2-0 lead. The third and final ODI is on Friday in Wellington.
Bangladesh’s sloppy fielding and putting down several important catches at various stages of the game contributed in their yet another defeat despite compiling a competitive 271-6 on the board. The Tigers sensed their first victory on New Zealand soil when they reduced the hosts to 53-3 in the 11th over but nothing went right from them thereafter, largely due to the lack of spirited effort.
New Zealand rode on their captain Tom L atham’s brilliant century overhauling the target with relatively ease, making 275-5 in 48.2 overs. Latham was finally not out on 110 off 108, hitting 10 fours and confirmed the victory, flicking a delivery past fine leg for boundary. But Latham, who is leading the side in the absence of injured Kane Williamson, survived twice on 58 and 67 in the space of just five balls. Firstly off-spinner Mahedi Hasan missed an easy return catch and thereafter Mehidy Hasan Miraz put down a catch at backward point off Taskin Ahmed delivery.
The miss also cost Bangladesh a boundary. With the side reeling to 53-3, Latham, aided by Devon Conway brought the side back in track, sharing 113 runs for the fourth wicket. Skipper Tamim Iqbal broke the partnership, inflicting a run out on Conway who struck 72 off 93 with seven fours. It was his maiden half-century in just the second game. With New Zealand still needing 106 runs to win, Bangladesh could have put pressure on the hosts had Mushfiqur Rahim not shelled a catch of James Neesham behind the wicket when he was on just 3.
Neesham scored 30 off 34 and added 76-run with Latham for the fifth wicket that edged the side closer to victory. Mustafizur Rahman removed Neesham but Latham and Darryl Mitchell sailed the side home without further fuss. Mustafizur and Mahedi took two wickets apiece for Bangladesh. Earlier, captain Tamim Iqbal hit 78 while Mohammad Mithun struck a fluent 73 not out as Bangladesh compiled a respectable total.
Tamim’s 78 off 108 the included 11 boundaries was his 50th half-century in ODI cricket and also was the cornerstone in guiding Bangladesh to a strong total, shrugging off the memory of 131 in the first match in which they conceded an eight-wicket defeat. Mithun played the key role at the death with an unbeaten 73 off 57, clattering six fours and two sixes.
Even though Bangladesh lost opener Liton Das for naught after being sent to bat first, Tamim kept the side unscathed. He got an ably support from Soumya Sarkar and the duo shared an 81-run partnership for the second wicket to make sure that there would be no early collapse like the first ODI. Soumya was at his attacking best for his known as he hammered a 46 ball- 32 with three fours and one six before being stumped by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. Tamim survived an appeal for caught-and-bowled off fast bowler Kyle Jamieson on 34.
The soft signal was out with Jamieson diving forward in his followthrough to take a low catch with both hands on the ball before momentum sent him to the floor. The TV umpire however ruled Tamim not out, much to the disappointment of Jamieson. He then punched Santner for a single towards long-on for his 50th half- century in ODI cricket off 84 balls. However after completing his sixth half- century against the Kiwis, Tamim though looked set for his century, he was brilliantly run out by James Neesham on 78.
Mithun then took the onus to drive the side while Mushfiqur Rahim played a second fiddle to him. While Rahim (34) and Mahmudullah Riyad (16) had little contribution, Mithun kept the scoreboard ticking rapidly with some big shots at the death overs that took Bangladesh past 250, which was their target. Mitchell Santner grabbed 2-51 while Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry and Trent Boult picked up one wicket apiece.
