After the first ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand got washed away, both teams met in the second game. New Zealand registered a comprehensive win in the second match by 86 runs. That win gave the visitors an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series.
The third and final ODI between the two teams is underway in Dhaka. It started with Bangladesh winning the toss and deciding to bat first in the overcast conditions. But that decision totally backfired on them, as they have lost all ten wickets for just 171 runs in 34.3 overs.
The Bangldeshi squad saw some changes as Litton Das, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, and Mustifizur Rahman were rested. Najmul Hossain Shanto was captaining the ODI team for the first time. Bangladesh struggled against the disciplined bowling of the Black Caps, but some of the wickets were given away by the batters.
With some good bowling, Bangladesh also had some weird moments. One moment was captured when veteran keeper Mushfiqur Rahim got out in the 16th over off the bowling of Lockie Ferguson. It was the first ball of the over. He tried to block the ball, but it got big on him. The ball went off the face of the blade towards the stumps.
Mushfiqur Rahim tries football skills to save his wicket, but couldn't. pic.twitter.com/l7y2PxzoZJ
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 26, 2023
Rahim tried to stop it with his feet but couldn’t, and it hit the stumps. It was a bizarre way to get out that one can hope for. It was a crucial wicket for New Zealand, as there was a partnership of 53 before this. Rahim made 18 off 25 balls.
Bangladesh has rested its key players. However, this is the last game before the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. Bangladesh hasn’t announced their squad yet, and September 27 is the deadline for it. Meanwhile, the target is not too big, and New Zealand is expected to chase it down to win the series 2-0.
