CHENNAI – Returning Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell scored anchoring half-centuries after a mixed effort from the bowlers to steer New Zealand to a convincing eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh within the ICC World Cup 2023.
New Zealand accomplished the 246-run pursuit in 42.5 overs when Daryl Mitchell clubbed Shoriful Islam for a six over deep midwicket. The 2019 closingists had a shaky begin to the run chase as they struggled towards Bangladesh pacers with in-form Rachin Ravindra (9) perishing within the third over with simply 12 runs on the board.
Skipper Williamson joined Devon Conway on the crease following the debacle and anchored the run chase. The pair batted sensibly so as to add 80 runs to the full earlier than Shakib Al Hasan removed Conway within the 21st over. He contributed considerably for New Zealand with a 59-ball 45, hitting three boundaries.
Williamson then joined forces with Mitchell and the duo put New Zealand in full command. They put collectively a 108- run stand for the third wicket, which ended when Williamson walked off the sector after sustaining a blow to his right-hand thumb. He scored 78 in 107 deliveries with the assistance of eight boundaries and a six.
Mitchell spearheaded New Zealand’s pursuit after Williamson’s departure and powered his facet to glory with 43 balls to spare. He remained unbeaten with a quickfire 89. His 67-ball knock included six boundaries and 4 sixes. For Bangladesh,Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib might decide up a wicket apiece.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who made his long-awaited return after a six-month hiatus as a consequence of an damage, invited Bangladesh to bat after profitable the toss. New Zealand bowlers justified their captain’s determination and diminished Bangladesh to 56-Four within the 13th over, after a 40-run partnership between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tanzid Hasan for the second wicket.
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim then stitched a 96-run stand for the fifth wicket to tug the full to 152. Lockie Ferguson broke the stand when Shakib Al Hasan tried to hit back-to-back sixes however failed and was caught behind by Tom Latham. He scored 40 off 51, with the assistance of three boundaries and two sixes.
Mushfiqur Rahim on the opposite finish scored an anchoring 66, that includes six boundaries and two sixes earlier than being castled by Matt Henry. Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed then added a worthwhile 34 runs for the eighth wicket till the latter swept Santner straight to deep againward sq..
In the meantime, Mahmudullah stayed until the tip to push the full to 245-9 of their accumulated 50 overs. His 49-ball 41 featured two boundaries and as many sixes. Lockie Ferguson topped the bowling charts for New Zealand with figures of 3-49, whereas Trent Boult and Matt Henry picked two wickets.