50 overs New Zealand 247 for 8 (Nicholls 68, Foxcroft 59, Shoriful 2-27) vs Bangladesh
New Zealand reached a competitive 247 for 8 in 50 overs in the first ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka. Henry Nicholls and Dean Foxcroft struck fifties to contribute to the total that looked at one stage like it could reach 275, but the Bangladesh bowlers struck regularly in the last ten overs to keep themselves in the hunt.
Shoriful Islam, playing his first ODI in 16 months, was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 27 from his ten overs. Rishad Hossain also bowled well for his two wickets. Taskin Ahmed picked up two wickets too.
Shoriful removed Nick Kelly in the seventh over, after he had made a laboured seven runs off 23 balls. The visitors however recovered through a 73-run second wicket stand between Nicholls and Will Young, who had an early reprieve. Saif Hassan dropped a simple chance at slip when Young had edged Shoriful batting on just one run.
Rishad removed Young in the 22nd over when the batter played a poor reverse sweep, which Tanzid Hasan lapped up quite comfortably. Shortly afterwards, captain got captain when Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed Tom Latham for 14. The ball skidded along to hit low on the stumps.
Nicholls exited the same way when his badly timed reverse hit landed in Litton Das’ hands. Nicholls struck nine fours in his 83-ball 68, often looking like the most comfortable batter on the stodgy pitch.
Shoriful returned with Muhammad Abbas’ wicket in the 36th over when he fell for 14 off 30 balls. Foxcroft had already made some headway around that time, with Tanzid dropping him on 27.
Foxcroft’s innings was attractive including some splendid cover drives and a couple of whips through midwicket. His innings ended on 59 off 58 balls after he had struck consecutive fours off Nahid Rana, who yorked him next ball.
Speedster Rana and offspinner Mehidy were the expensive ones among the bowlers, as Bangladesh rued some missed opportunities, including two catches, and a few extras.
