In the first ODI of a three-match series last week, New Zealand defeated Bangladesh. Thus, for the visitors, the second game on Wednesday, December 20, became a game of life or death. Even though Soumya Sarkar scored a brilliant century, the Blackcaps ultimately defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets with 22 balls remaining in the game.
Tom Latham, the skipper for New Zealand, won the toss and chose to field first earlier in the day. Before leaving the first ODI for a duck, Bangladeshi opener Soumya Sarkar struck a brilliant 169 runs off 151 balls at the Saxton Oval in Nelson, smashing 22 fours and two sixes. But for single-digit scores, Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, and Anamul Haque fell out, weakening the top order.
Soumya and Towhid Hridoy performed admirably together in an attempt to salvage the batting after losing the first three wickets for 44 runs. Before Josh Clarkson ran out Hridoy, they pieced up a 36-run partnership. Bangladesh was looking down the barrel at 80/4. To give the tourists a respectable start, though, Soumya and the seasoned Mushfiqur Rahim combined and put on a 91-run stand.
Soumya didn’t hold back as Mushfiqur left for a well-compiled 45. Before Bangladesh was dismissed for 291 in 49.5 overs, the left-handed batter struck up some bold partnerships with Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Rishad Hossain.
Run-chase is easy for the batsmen from New Zealand.
On a pitch devoid of demons, New Zealand’s starting duo of Will Young and Rachin Ravindra got off to a great start. Before the southpaw left after 33 balls and 45 runs, they added another 76. Young and Henry Nicholls combined for a partnership of 128 runs off 131 balls to decide the match. Hasan Mahmud removed the latter for an innings of 89 off 94 balls.
In addition, the Nicholls failed to reach the elusive three-figure milestone by five runs, missing a well-earned century. After Tom Blundell and Latham finished the formalities, the hosts prevailed handily to establish a commanding 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The following is how ‘X’ users responded to New Zealand’s victory over Bangladesh in the second ODI:
Today Soumya Sarkar scored 169 vs 🇳🇿 in an ODI Match.
– 2nd Highest Individual Scores by 🇧🇩 in ODI
– Highest Individual Scores by 🇧🇩 in Losing Cause in ODI
– Most 4s Hit in an Inning by 🇧🇩
– 8th Highest Individual Scores in Losing Cause in Men’s ODIs#NZvBAN #NZvsBAN— Kishan Kishor (@itskishankishor) December 20, 2023
The winning moment! Tom Blundell finishes ODI 2 with a big six in Nelson 🏏 #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/OEEVj39SZW
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2023
A comfortable chase for New Zealand sees them take a 2-0 lead in the ODI series against Bangladesh 🏏#NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/WiXmLxwlPs
— Helvin Cardoz ❤️ (@CardozHelvin) December 20, 2023
Even team lost but Soumya Sarkar got the deserved Man of the match….#IPL2024Auction #PAKvsNZ #Haris #Fakhar #Shame #England #WIvENG #WestIndies #BANvsNZ https://t.co/PHGn99rRaM pic.twitter.com/KpnibM9Dx0
— Umair Wajid (@umairwajid1417) December 20, 2023
India
