New Zealand and Bangladesh will clash against each other in the third ODI on Thursday, with the hosts already having clinched the series.
It was a hard-fought victory for the Kiwis in the second ODI as they had to chase down a steep target of 272 runs against Bangladesh. However, special innings from the stand-in captain Tom Latham ensured that the hosts won the match and clinched the three-match ODI series.
New Zealand were in a spot of bother in the second ODI, as the score read 53 for the loss of three wickets while chasing down a target of 272 runs. However, Tom Latham rose up to the occasion and scored an unbeaten knock of 110 runs in just 108 balls, including ten fours. Devon Conway also played a handy knock, scoring 72 runs as he formed a 113 run partnership with his skipper.
However, despite the loss, it was a valiant performance from Bangladesh, who showed some character after being beaten convincingly in the first ODI. The visitors were bundled out for just 131 runs in the first ODI. Bangladesh batted well in the second match, with skipper Tamim Iqbal scoring a knock of 78 runs.
Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun all contributed with the bat, which helped the visitors post a fighting total on the board. Mithun was the standout batsman for his team as he scored an unbeaten knock of 73 runs in just 57 balls and ended with a flurry of runs.
Bangladesh will enter the third ODI with good confidence and back themselves to defeat the Kiwis, who have brilliant memories throughout the home season. Although Thursday’s game is a dead rubber, it promises to be an exciting watch.
Key Players
Martin Guptill missed out with the bat in the last match, scoring just 20 runs before being caught and bowled by Mustafizur Rahman. He was at his attacking best in the first ODI, though 38 runs in just 19 balls at a strike rate of 200. The Kiwi opener smashed four sixes and three boundaries during his short stay at the crease. After missing out in the last match, Guptill will be eager to be among the last ODI runs on Thursday.
Trent Boult was adjudged the Player of the Match in the first ODI for picking up four wickets and running through the visitors’ batting lineup. However, he could not impact the second ODI as he picked up just one wicket in his ten overs, conceding 49 runs. The Bangladeshi batsman managed to negotiate Boult’s early threat with the ball, which laid the foundation for a decent total.
Tamim Iqbal, captain of Bangladesh, played brilliant innings in the second ODI. The left-hander scored 78 runs in 108 balls before he ran himself out. Iqbal was looking comfortable out in the middle and could have gone on to score a huge knock. Tamim will have to be on top of his game in the third ODI and negotiate the Kiwi bowlers’ threat in the opening stages of the innings.
Mushfiqur Rahim has got good starts this series but has failed to convert either of the two starts into big innings. Rahim scored 34 runs in the second ODI and just when it looked that the right-hander would take off Santner dismissed him. This was a similar situation to the first ODI, where he scored 23 runs off 29 balls. Rahim would be desperate to score big on Thursday and help his side avoid a series whit-wash.
Prediction
New Zealand are the clear favourites to win the third ODI and complete a series whitewash. Despite a better performance from Bangladesh in the last match, the Kiwis are a much-settled unit and have done well so far.
The hosts are missing two of their main players, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. However, Devon Conway has grabbed his opportunity with both hands as he has scored 99 runs so far this series. Just when the hosts needed someone to step up in the second ODI, Tom Latham produced an innings from the top draw as he led his side to a comfortable victory in the end.
New Zealand’s bowling attack have kept the Bangladeshi batting in check so far this series. Trent Boult was the match-winner in the first ODI, picking up four wickets. The pace bowling trio of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson picked up a wicket each in the last match and ended with decent figures. Mitchell Santner was the standout bowler for the second ODI hosts, picking up two key wickets of Soumya Sarkar and Rahim.
Bangladesh will have to be on top of their game in the last ODI, if they are to avoid a series whitewash. Senior players like Rahim and Mahmudullah will have to make it count on Thursday, and the bowling unit must take regular wickets and not allow the opposition batsman to settle in.
