Blundell 50 powers New Zealand to 254 in 2nd ODI

Wicket-keeper batter Tom Blundell hit a half-century as New Zealand posted a challenging 254 before being all out in 49.2 overs in the second ODI against Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Blundell made 68 off 66 with six fours and one six, his only second 50 plus knock in his eight-match ODI career. Henry Nicholls, who made 44 in the rained-out first ODI, this made also missed out his fifty by being out on 49.

Debutant Syed Khaled Ahmed and offspinner Mahedi Hasan claimed three wickets apiece while fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman took two.

Mustafizur once again shined with new ball, reducing New Zealand to 26-2 after the visitors opted to bat first. He removed Will Young, who made 58 in the first match, for duck and then claimed the wicket of Finn Allen for 12.

Khaled got into the act wicket the wicket of Chad Bowes for 14, as New Zealand slumped to 36-3 in eighth over.

Nicholls and Blundell got the side back on track, playing with caution and aggression, as they combined for a 95-run for the fourth wicket, highest for New Zealand in this stand at Mirpur venue.

They also dealt with the spinners astutely, keeping the side aloft over Bangladesh. However, Khaled in his second spell broke the dangerous partnership as Nicholls edged behind after hitting six fours.

Blundell unleashed his attacking batting at this phase to keep the scoreboard ticking as he brought up his fifty off 54 balls, driving left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed's flighted delivery to long-on for a single.

Pacer Hasan Mahmud gave Bangladesh a relief, uprooting Blundell's stump with a pinch perfect Yorker.

Bangladesh spinners then took the charge and claimed some quick wickets before Ish Sodhi propelled the side past 250-run mark.

In 46th over, Hasan Mahmud inflicted a run on Sodhi who was in the non-striker end as he stepped out of the crease while the bowler was about to bowl. The dismissal is popularly called Mankad, which is considered against the spirit of cricket but this kind of dismissal is normal in cricket these days.

After showing the replay, umpire though gave him out, Bangladesh captain Liton Das and bowler Hasan Mahmud called him back again.

Sodhi who was then 17, went on to score 35 with three sixes. He was, however, the last man out when Khaled got the better of him to finish on 3-60 on his debut.

 

 

/KN/