Bangladesh lock horns with New Zealand to potentially decide who makes it out of Group A in the Champions Trophy.
Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra then proceeded to steady the ship for the Black Caps, combining to counter-attack the Bangladesh bowlers and forging a steady fifty-run partnership.
Just as Conway kept going, an inside-edge onto the stumps did the trick for Mustafizur Rahman as the left-hand batter’s 30-run knock came to a halt.
Ravindra kept going, notching up his fifth half-century in ODI cricket off his 50th ball at the crease.
Tom Latham also stepped in with a crucial knock, stitching together a whirlwind partnership for the fourth wicket as New Zealand looked for redemption from their unexpected start.
Taskin Ahmed got Bangladesh off to the perfect start as he rattled Will Young’s stumps off the final delivery of the first over for a duck.
It was Kane Williamson’s turn to depart next as he chased one from Nahid Rana outside off stump, only for it to take a nick and fall in the safe hands of Mushfiqur Rahim.
Ravindra went on to complete 1000 runs in ODI cricket in his 26th innings – fifth fastest for the Black Caps.
Jaker Ali stepped in with a crucial knock towards the end as he took Bangladesh past the 200-run mark.
The batter was run out in the penultimate over of the game, having notched up 45 off 55 that helped Bangladesh inch towards a decent total.
At the end of the 50 overs, Bangladesh posted 236/9, leaving New Zealand needing 237 to grab their semi-final spot alongside India.
Skipper Najmul continued to hold the fort for Bangladesh, alongside Jaker Ali as the pair steadied the ship for Bangladesh after losing a flurry of wickets.
But the skipper’s stay at the crease was ended, courtesy of a brilliant running catch from Michael Bracewell, who put an end to his 110-ball 77-run knock that guided Bangladesh from the front.
Rishad Hossain, who struck 26 off 25 balls and looked set to take Bangladesh to a competitive score fell next, courtesy another simple catch for Santner off Matt Henry.
New Zealand’s brilliant catching prowess was once again on display as Williamson latched onto another superb grab to get rid of Tawhid Hridoy, giving Bracewel his second of the game.
Following which, Rachin Ravindra caught another one to scalp Mushfiqur Rahim’s wicket in Bracewell’s very next over.
Mahmuddulah was the next atter to fall prey to New Zealand’s brilliance on the field, as O’Rourke’s safe hands landed Bracewell’s fourth of the game in the form of Mahmud Ullah.
Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto kept going, notching up his 10th ODI half-century to keep Bangladesh’s scorecard ticking from one end.
Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Shanto took Bangladesh off to a strong start, rotating the strike and punching the good balls to the boundary.
Just when the Bangladesh openers looked set to complete a 50-run stand, Michel Bracewell made an impact off his very second ball of the game to send Tanzid Hasan (24) back to the dugout in the ninth over, with Kane Williamson grabbing a neat one.
Will O’Rourke gave New Zealand’s second breakthrough of the game, dismissing Mehidy Hasan, who had smashed two glorious boundaries in his short stay at the crease as skipper Mitchell Santner displayed his safe hands this time at mid-on.
Update from the toss: Mitchell Santner won the toss and New Zealand will bowl first.
New Zealand bring in Kyle Jamieson for Nathan Smith, and Rachin Ravindra is back in the side, in place of an unwell Dayl Mitchell.
Bangladesh make two changes as well as Mahmud Ullah returns to the side, while Nahid Rana is all set to make his first Champions Trophy appearance as well. Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Shakib miss out for them.
Playing XI:
Bangladesh:
Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman
New Zealand:
Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke
