CWC 2023: New Zealand beats Bangladesh by 8 wickets

CHENNAI: A brilliant innings from skipper Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell helped New Zealand make light work of Bangladesh’s total of 245 as the duo shepherded their side to an emphatic eight-wicket win in the ICC World Cup match here on Friday.

The duo added 108 runs for the third wicket before Williamson retired hurt on 78 (107b, 8x4, 1x6) with the team score on 200. Mitchell was unbeaten on 89 (67b, 6x4, 4x6) as New Zealand recorded its third win on the trot to move to the top of the table with six points from three matches. The high-flying kiwis will next take on Afghanistan at the same venue on Wednesday.

Earlier, the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with 66 as Bangladesh battled hard in the face of New Zealand's disciplined bowling effort to post 245 for nine.

Rahim’s 75-ball knock, alongside valuable contributions from skipper Shakib al Hasan (40 off 51 balls) and Mahmudullah (41 off 49), lifted Bangladesh after it was reeling at 56 for four in the 13th over.

The Tigers began on a disastrous note, losing Litton Das (0) off the very first delivery of the game to pacer Trent Boult, as his attempted flick was collected by Matt Henry in fine leg.

Tanzid Hasan (16 ) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (30) tried to put up some resistance before the former fell prey to pacer Lockie Ferguson, offering a catch to Devon Conway in square leg in the eighth over.

Notably, Tanzid was dropped when he was yet to open his account by Tom Latham in the opening over itself. It was a tough chance, nonetheless.

When the score read 56, Bangladesh lost Miraz to Ferguson, followed by Najmul Hossain Shanto (7) to spinner Glenn Phillips.

BRIEF SCORES: Bangladesh 245/9 in 50 overs (M Rahim 66, S Al Hasan 40, L Ferguson 3/49) lost to New Zealand 248/2 in 42.5 overs (D Mitchell 89*, K Williamson 78 retired hurt, D Conway 45)