The 3rd ODI between Bangladesh & New Zealand at Napier saw a dramatic reversal in fortunes for the teams with the visitors thrashing them in an inconsequential game. The Black Caps won the series 2-1 leading to another series defeat for Bangladesh. Bangladesh astonished everyone by displaying a clinical performance against a quality New Zealand side.
Pitch and Weather at Napier
The pitch at Maclean Park is a challenge for batters. There is ample grass on the wicket which is a blessing for the seam bowlers, especially in the 1st innings. The average score is just 239 for teams batting first and drops further to 198 in the second innings. The weather was near perfect at 22 degrees, with a slight breeze that was expected to have a small influence on the seam bowlers. However, in the 47 matches played so far, teams batting second have won on more occasions.
Big names missing for New Zealand vs Bangladesh
Some of the big names in both teams decided to forego the series. Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Shakib Al-Hasan were absent and had taken a break after the ODI World Cup 2023.
Bangladesh decides to field first
The 3rd ODI between New Zealand and Bangladesh saw the visitors electing to field after winning the toss. it proved to be the right decision.
Bowlers destroy the New Zealand’s batting line-up
The bowling attack looked ominous with Tanzim Hasan Sakib getting the Kiwi batting star Rachin Ravindra early. he made only 4 and was dismissed cheaply in the 4th over. From then on it was a back-and-forth parade by the New Zealand batters. None of them showed the patience or focus to play anchor and try to stabilise the innings for NZ.
Only opener Will Young and skipper Tom Latham reached the 20’s. Shoriful Islam finished with 3 for 22 and was hunting in pair with Tanzim who took 3 for 14. Somya Sarkar used his guile to take 3 for 18, wrapping up the New Zealand innings without reaching three figures in the 32nd over.
Bangladesh’s top order makes it look easy
The visitors reached the required score of 99 in the 16th over without troubling their middle order. Opener Anamul Haque made a breezy 37 in 33 balls with seven elegant hits to the boundary. He was well supported by skipper Najmul Santo who scored 51 in 32 balls and stayed till the end to see them through.
The only hitch was the early retirement of Soumya Sarkar from the match when he was forced to leave the pitch due to eye problems. It is reported that it is not serious and he will be available for the T20 series.
Landmark for Bangladesh
Even though Bangladesh came 2nd best in the series, they broke the jinx of losing 18 matches on the trot in New Zealand against the hosts. It was also the lowest-ever score by New Zealand against Bangladesh in an ODI. Bundling out New Zealand for 98 runs states that the Bangladeshi Tigers are making slow but steady progress in ODI circuit.
Dismal overseas record
Typical of all Asian teams, Bangladesh fare poorly outside Asia. They last won an overseas series in the West Indies which was a 3-0 whitewash. But their overall record outside Bangladesh leaves a lot to be desired. They have won only 14 out of the 37 series played by them.
Next battle
Both teams head for a short series of 3 T20 matches after a Christmas break. Bangladesh will look forward to reversing its fortunes and leaving a mark on its tour to New Zealand.