The rain did not let the host Bangladesh and the visiting New Zealand to complete their first ODI of three match series ahead of the World Cup when the match was abandoned after 33.4 overs.
The second ODI scheduled for today, under the threat of the unseasonal downpour.
Interestingly, Bangladesh national women cricket team could not also play their quarterfinal match in the ongoing Asian Games due to rain when their match against Hong Kong was abandoned without a ball was bowled on Friday in Hangzhough, China.
But the rain though could stop the match but could not halt the Tigress progress to move into the Games’ semifinal.
Bangladesh advanced into the semis because of higher ranking, despite without any result due to rain washed out match.
Bangladesh women will meet their Indian counterpart in the semifinal tomorrow and it will be very crucial for both sides remembering the momentums of their bilateral series of last month.
However, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday at the time of called off the first match, New Zealand scored 136 runs and Bangladesh could pick up five wickets, as the former could see their top order batters and the latter watched their bowlers when they could bowled 33.4 overs.
In fact, the rain was threatening before the match starting and resumed after a two-hour delay with the match reduced to 42 overs a side. Bu the unseasonal but torrential rain final forced to call of the match after 33.4 overs bowled when New Zealand was batting for 136 for five wickets.
However, for both the sides, the series is a dress rehearsal, as the players are juggling preparation for the World Cup to begin in less than two weeks’ time in India.
The visitors might had the opportunity the see the trial of their top and some of the middle order batters and Bangladesh had the opportunity to see the bowlers, specially, Mustafizur Rahman, who has been struggling for a long.
New Zealand might be pleased with the opener Will Young and middle order bats Henry Nicholls, as the impressed a lot with theirtrustworthy performance to survive from the struggling situation.
Young showed some of his confidence on his way to a 91-ball 58 after when New Zealand were struggling losing two early wickets for 16 when Henry Nichollas was slightly quicker in getting to 44. They helped the visitors to rebuild the damage.
But the innings belonged to the Bangladesh bowlers when they took five wickets for 136 runs (before the match was called) with the run rate 4.3.Specially,Mustafizur Rahman looked to get back to his best with the new ball, as well as with the old ball but with the new ball, his credential was drastically waned since his cutter became predictable, though it all came to nothing in the end due to inclement weather.
Both the sides rested some of their key performers, who have been confirmed their place in the World Cup squad.
Teams bring the changes might be with an objective for replacement of players, with injuries in their ranks not making things easy.
Bangladesh rested almost half of the probable squad for the World Cup including captain Shakib Al Hassan and one of the key batters Mushfiqur Rahim, pace spearhead Taskin Ahmed and his opening bowl partner Shoriful Islam, all rounderMehidy Hassan Miraz. New Zealand also rested some of their premier performers might be with same objective of replacement of the players who are with injuries in their ranks, will not ensure their hundred percent service.
