Christchurch: A maiden ODI fifty from Devon Conway (72) and a classic captain’s knock from Tom Latham (110*) guided Zealand to five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second ODI, to claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in three match series, here on Tuesday.
Latham won the toss for the Black Caps and sent Bangladesh into the middle to bat in the day-night contest.
Bangladesh were off to a bad start as Liton Das mistimed a pull shot in the second over, hitting the ball into the hands of Will Young as Matt Henry bagged the opening wicket of the match.
Fortunately for Bangladesh, captain Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar steadied the ship and recorded an 81-run partnership.
In came Mitchell Santner into the attack, and the left-arm spinner had Sarkar stumped for 32 in the 20th over. Iqbal stormed along until he got run out by some great footwork from Jimmy Neesham for 78. Mohammad Mithun
Mohammad Mithun joined Mushfiqur Rahim in the middle at 133/3, the duo went on to stitch a partnership of 51 runs pushing Bangladesh’s score past 184. Mushfiqur’s innings came to an end when he mistimed a shot off Santner’s bowling, finding Henry Nicholls in the field.
Despite the loss of Musfiqur, Mithun carried Bangladesh forward with his innings of 73* runs off 57 balls. The lower-middle order failed to make an impact as Mahmudullah and Mahedi Hasan failed to get their innings going. Mithun finished his innings unbeaten as Bangladesh set a commendable target of 272.
In the chase, New Zealand got off to a steady start, putting up 28 runs before the end of the fifth over.
Martin Guptill then was caught and bowled by Mustafizur Rahman. Mahedi then picked up his maiden ODI wicket, sending back Henry Nicholls for just 13. Two overs later Hasan struck again, dismissing Young after a failed sweep attempt.
Devon Conway and skipper Latham looked to rebuild New Zealand’s innings after an early setback. The duo came together when New Zealand were at 53/3. They collaborated for a 113-run partnership. Conway made 72 runs in 93 deliveries before being dismissed run out by Tamim.
Neesham accompanied Latham at the crease as the pair put New Zealand on the brink of victory with their 76-run partnership. Neesham eventually fell to Mustafizur with New Zealand needing 30 runs for a win.
Daryl Mitchell accompanied Latham towards the end as the pair provided the finishing touch to the chase, during the course of which Latham achieved his century guiding New Zealand to a series win. (UNI)
