World Cup 2023: New Zealand display formidable show in Chennai to defeat Bangladesh by eight wickets

The duo of Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson ensured an easy eight-wicket win for New Zealand over Bangladesh as both of them hammered half-centuries.

Chennai: New Zealand made a mockery of the chase against Bangladesh as they hunted down the target of 246 runs with 43 balls to spare. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell shone with the bat while Lockie Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers playing a key role in the victory.

It was a shaky start to the chase for the Blackcaps as Rachin Ravindra was dismissed in the third over of the innings by Mustafizur Rehman. However, Kane Williamson who was returning to international cricket after a long time started showing his class. He added 80 runs along with Devon Conway for the second wicket but the latter got dismissed on 45.

Subsequently, Daryl Mitchell (89*) and Williamson (78) ensured a smooth journey for New Zealand as they combined 108 runs for the third wicket before the New Zealand skipper got retired hurt. Glenn Phillips finished the proceedings along with Mitchell in the end and New Zealand emerged triumphant with 43 balls to spare.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand made it tough for Bangladesh in the two teams' second engagement in the ICC World Cup 2023 by restricting the Bangla Tigers to 245/9 in the allotted 50 overs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday. Put into bat, Bangladesh was straight into trouble losing opener Litton Das in the first delivery to Kiwi quick Trent Boult. From there Bangladesh could never get a hold of the match by losing wickets at regular intervals.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim was the only man, who looked dangerous from New Zealand's point of view. Rahim scored 66 off 75 deliveries peppered with six boundaries and a couple of hits over the fences. Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on 41 with a dearth of partners at the other end.

Besides the duo, captain Shakib-al Hasan (40) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (30) tried to put some resistance in the middle and lower middle-order, but New Zealand quicks Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Matt Henry prevented the Bangla Tigers from settling in, and forging partnerships.

The highest 96-run stand shared by captain Shakib-al Hasan and Miraz actually helped Bangladesh post a competitive total to give their bowlers a chance to come back hard at the Black Caps. Ferguson was the pick of the Black Caps' bowlers bagging three wickets and conceding 49 runs in his 10 overs while Matt Henry and Trent Boult scalped two wickets apiece. The 22-yard strip that posed a huge problem to the Aussies batters against India in the hosts' lung opener looked a tad better.

Brief Scores: Bangladesh 245/9 in 50 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 66, Mahmudullah 41 not out, Shakib-Al-Hasan 40; Lockie Ferguson 3-49, Trent Boult 2-45, Matt Henry 2-58) vs New Zealand