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Sports, Cricket

NZ crushing BD in 1st T20


Bangladeshpost
Published : 28 Mar 2021 09:50 PM

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh’s dismal run in New Zealand continued as they tasted a 66-run defeat to New Zealand in the three-match T20 International series opener at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand compiled a hefty 210-3 after which they restricted Bangladesh to 144-8 to complete their second biggest victory against the Tigers. New Zealand’s highest margin victory against Bangladesh is by 75 runs.

Devon Conway, who was adjudged man of the series in three-match ODI, translated his ODI form into T20 series, as he struck an unbeaten 92 off 53, clobbering 11 fours and three sixes to set up the platform of Kiwis big total.

He was ably supported by debutant Will Young who blasted 30 ball-53 that included two fours and four sixes. Later big hitter Glenn Phillips further tore apart Bangladesh bowling by hammering 10 ball-24 with three fours and one six, which propelled New Zealand past 200.

Bangladesh was without the service of Mushfiqur Rahim as the senior batsman was rested after he hurt his left shoulder during the last game and also has a bruised finger.

The Tigers, who came off 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Kiwis in ODI series, made a good start with debutant Nasum Ahmed picking up his maiden wicket in his first over, dismissing fellow debutant Finn Allen.

Martin Guptill came up with fire despite the early departure of Allen as he kept the scoreboard ticking rapidly. He was particularly harsh on Mustafizur Rahman and debutant Shoriful Islam. Both of them ended up giving away more than 12 runs per over.

Guptill scored 35 off 27 with three fours and two sixes before being dismissed by Nasum, who ended with 2-30 in four overs in his maiden T20 match. Nasum was by far the best bowler of Bangladesh as he was the only bowler to concede less than 10 runs per over.

Only four Bangladeshi batsmen could reach double digit figure in the chase of big target. Opener Naim Sheikh started promisingly, hitting 27 off 18 with five fours but he lacked support from the other top order batsmen. Liton Das (4), Soumya Sarkar (5) and Mohammad Mithun (4) failed to put up any resistance as New Zealand stand in skipper Tim Southee and leg-spinner IshSodhi were on fire.

Skipper MahmudullahRiyad could reach double digit figure but he scored just 11. Young Afif Hossain was the highest scorer with 45 off 33, hitting five fours and one six while Saifuddin was unbeaten on run-a-ball-34.

IshSodhi did the most damage, claiming 4-28 while Lockie Ferguson snapped up 2-25. Southee and Hamish Bennett picked up one wicket apiece.

The second T20 between the two sides is on Tuesday at Napier.