Match Center

Righ then, that is it from this entertaining game where the Kiwis remain unbeaten in the tournament while Bangladesh lose their second match in a row. However, the focus now shifts to the biggest clash as arch-rivals, India and Pakistan take on each other with a lot at stake. That game will be played on 14th October, Saturday at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Kane Williamson, the victorious skipper of New Zealand starts by saying that he doesn't know the extent of that thumb injury and will get a scan done tomorrow but informs that the knee is feeling better. Goes on to say that it was a brilliant performance from the guys and it was tough for batting at times and it was nice to get a partnership. Mentions that mid-way through the first Powerplay, they knew that it was better to hit the deck hard and that worked out well. On Lockie Ferguson, he says that it was a good showing and on this surface, the pacers did the job and it was a team bowling effort. On his knock, he says that it was nice to get through the initial phase and build partnerships and the batters who came in finished the job well. On Daryl Mitchell, he says that Daryl comes in and plays some big knocks for the team and he did that once again.

Najmul Hossain Shanto is in for a quick chat in place of an injured Shakib Al Hasan. He says that Shakib has gone for the scans and they will know more when the results are in. Adds that they didn't bat that well and the first 10-15 overs proved to be crucial. Tells that the wicket seemed to be good but the batters need to take more responsibilities. Praises the fast bowlers for their efforts and says they showed good character. Mentions in the previous game, they didn't bowl well but if they continue like this, it will definitely help them going forward. Ends by saying if they bat well in the next game, it will be a completely different ball game.

Lockie Ferguson is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fiery spell earlier in the game. He says that it was a classic team performance from the Black Caps with the ball and is happy to have contributed to it. Adds that compared to Hyderabad, there was a lot more bounce and he looked to keep the batters on the back foot and get them out. Mentions that it's early stages for sure but they are certainly enjoying their time out in the middle and will look to continue in the same way. Also adds that he hasn't played here much, so, it was nice to see some pace and bounce and hopes it remains the same against Afghanistan as well.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat first, Bangladesh posted a fighting total on the board. They were struggling at 56/4 but the two most experienced campaigners, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim got them out of that difficult situation with a 96-run stand where the latter registered a good fifty as well. Then Mahmudullah too used his experience well towards the fag end of the innings to get them to get them to that total. Lockie Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers for the Kiwis with three wickets while Matt Henry and Trent Boult got a couple each. Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips chipped in with one each too. The wicket did not get any easier under the lights but a fighting half-century from skipper Kane Williamson in his comeback match and yet another excellent innings from the ever-so-dependant Daryl Mitchell got them over the line quite easily in the end.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, gave a good account of themselves while defending this target. Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam started brilliantly under lights and did not give anything away really while also getting an early breakthrough. It would have been even better if Mehidy Hasan managed to hold on to what would have been an exceptional catch of Devon Conway. They kept the Kiwis quiet in the Powerplay but failed to pick up more wickets. Their spinners also bowled economically and managed to put pressure on the batters with the dot balls, and Shakib Al Hasan broke the big stand by getting rid of Devon Conway. However, they dropped a few too many catches in between and when you give lives to batters like Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, you are bound to be punished and that is exactly what happened here. In the end, they just did not have enough runs to play with and fell to another big defeat.

New Zealand got off to a slow and steady start but lost in-form Rachin Ravindra quite early. Kane Williamson and Devon Conway managed to ride the storm from the Bangladeshi pacers and did not give their wicket away. They took their time and added 80 runs together before Conway lost his patience and got out. However, their skipper looked as determined as ever and kept the scoreboard ticking along with Daryl Mitchell who got some help from the fielders as well. Mitchell tried to be aggressive right from the start which made things a bit easier for Williamson who went on to register a fine fifty in his first game of this World Cup. The skipper had to retire hurt for 78 runs after getting hit on his left thumb, but Mitchell changed gears really well and remained unbeaten on 89 off just 67 balls and finished the job along with Glenn Phillips to top off a professional performance.

The Black Caps make it a hat-trick of wins and keep the winning momentum going for them in this World Cup. They also maintain their perfect record against Bangladesh in ODI World Cups and get their sixth win over them. Bangladesh have a lot of rethinking to do now as they look to get back on track in this tournament.

SIX! BANG! Daryl Mitchell finishes things off in style and seals another easy win for New Zealand. Shoriful Islam pitches this one right up in the slot around off, angling it across. Mitchell stays deep in his crease and shimmies across the stumps before thumping it over the wide long on fence for a biggie. Mitchell remains unbeaten on 89 and New Zealand win by 8 wickets.

Full again, right in the blockhole around off, Glenn Phillips jams it out back past the bowler and picks up a single.

Full and on the stumps, mistimed back to the bowler.

Almost gets chopped on here! Takes a bit of pace off it and bowls it on a nagging length in the channel. Glenn Phillips looks to punch it off the back foot but gets an inside edge that goes over the stumps. Phillips swings his bat quickly in order to keep the ball out but in reality, he had no idea where it was going.

Banged in short and angles it across the off stump. Daryl Mitchell goes across the off stump and looks to power it over cow corner but mistimes it down to wide long on for a single. New Zealand one big hit away form the win now!

SIX! Glenn Phillips looks in a hurry now! This is flighted, full and on middle, Glenn Phillips goes down on one knee and nails his slog-sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

On a length and on leg, Daryl Mitchell clips it through square leg for one.

FOUR! Nice shot! Mehidy Hasan drags his length back and outside off, Daryl Mitchell shuffles across and smacks it through extra covers for a boundary.