Taylor fifty, Henry burst help New Zealand secure nervy win over Bangladesh
Thursday, 6 June 2019 (14:46 IST)
London:New Zealand overcame a plucky Bangladesh performance to secure their second win of the Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.
Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bowl, before a to-and-fro innings saw the Tigers post 244 all out. All of Bangladesh's top eight made it into double figures, but only Shakib Al Hasan made it past 30, underpinning his side's effort with a classy 64, his second half-century in succession.
For the Kiwis, Matt Henry emerged with the pick of the figures, claiming 4/47, while Lockie Ferguson impressed with his pace in his figures of 1/40 in 10 overs.
The experienced Trent Boult also had reason to celebrate, passing 150 ODI wickets, and becoming the second-fastest bowler in ODI history to do so, getting to the mark in his 81st game.
New Zealand's top order gave them a strong start in reply, with Martin Guptill blazing to a 14-ball 25. Shakib removed both openers, but a century stand between Williamson and Ross Taylor seemed to have put the contest to bed.
The partnership could have been cut off at six, with Williamson seemingly stranded well short of his crease after a mix-up. But replays indicated Bangladesh keeper Mushfiqur Rahim had broken the stumps with his arm before collecting the ball, and New Zealand's captain was reprieved.
Even having taken the Black Caps to 160/2 there was drama in store. A middle-overs squeeze saw to the wickets of Williamson and Tom Latham, who fell in the same Mehidy Hasan over, preceding a nervy finish.
Taylor tickled Mosaddek Hossain down the leg-side for Mushfiqur to take a sharp
catch, but, though the Tigers struck regularly thereafter, they had left themselves too
much to do, and New Zealand eventually got home with 17 balls and two wickets in