Bangladesh’s dominance over New Zealand in One Day International cricket continued as the hosts snatched a 40-run win in the second ODI, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.
Batting first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 247 in 49 overs, but the bowlers put in a superb performance to restrict the visitors to 207 in 46.4 overs.
Back in October 2010, Bangladesh had whitewashed the Kiwis 4-0, and now they have the chance to claim another clean sweep on Sunday at Fatullah.
The win marked Bangladesh’s 15th ODI series win, with most of them coming against Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh have so far claimed seven series wins against Zimbabwe, twice against New Zealand, and the West Indies and once each against Scotland, Ireland and Kenya to go along with triangular series triumphs over Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Mashrafe Moratza spearheaded the Bangladesh bowling attack, taking three wickets for 43 runs and had done the early damage maintaining good line and length.
Bangladeshi spinners on the other hand, shook off the fears of a dew-laden ball as off-spinner Sohag Gazi, who took up the new ball at the opposite end of Mashrafe, took three for 34 while part-timer Mominul Haque chipped in with 2/13.
Earlier, Bangladesh had won the toss and chose to bat first. The Tigers were off steadily with Tamim Iqbal and debutant Shurawardy Shuvo scoring 63 in the first wicket. Tamim added 58 at the top while Shuvo laboured to 25 off 68.
They were followed by two identical 31-run innings by Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim and some timely hitting by Mahmudullah and Sohag Gazi lower down the order, allowed Bangladesh to reach 247.
James Neesham and Corey Anderson took four wickets each for the visitors.
In reply, the Black Caps lost wickets at regular intervals and the efforts of Ross Taylor (45), Corey Anderson (37), James Neesham (25) and Nathan McCullum (27) were not enough to prevent the series defeat.
Sohag Gazi was adjudged man-of- the-match.
