Bangladesh's third match in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in Chennai got off to a disastrous start after another top-order collapse, a chronic problem that has been plaguing them in ODIs for some time now.

Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto were back at the hut after just 12.1 overs with only 56 runs on the board after the Kiwis asked Bangladesh to bat at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

Bangladesh's top-order woes start from the opening partnership, where the returns have been slim throughout 2023. 

In 23 ODIs this year, including the ongoing match against New Zealand, Bangladesh's opening stand's average -- of 21.95 runs -- leaves a lot to be desired.

In all of those games, the Tigers have seen only one century stand for the opening partnership, from the bats of Tamim Iqbal and Liton, who formed an unbeaten 102-run stand against Ireland in Sylhet on March 23.

Bangladesh also had a couple of 50-run stands for the first wicket, both coming in the Asia Cup from the opening partnership of Mohammad Naim and Miraz.

Considering the poor returns leading up to the World Cup, the opening stand was a worry for the Tigers heading into the tournament.

The fears deepened when the selectors chose to leave behind the experienced Tamim Iqbal and go with an untested opening pair of Liton and Tanzid. And the fears have been proven true so far in the tournament. 

Against Afghanistan, the opening partnership yielded just 19 runs before fetching 14 against England.

The return from the opening partnership hit rock bottom against New Zealand today as it lasted just one ball, ending with Liton flicking the first ball of the match straight to Matt Henry to depart for a golden duck on his birthday.

After a small fightback from Tanzid and Miraz with a 40-run partnership, the former gifted his wicket after making 16 off 17 balls, giving an easy catch off Lockie Ferguson inside the 30-yard circle.

Liton walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal against England in Dharamsala on October 10, 2023.

Miraz and Shanto followed suit, departing for 30 and seven respectively, as Bangladesh were left reeling before even playing a quarter of 50 overs.

This is the seventh time in the last 10 ODI innings of the Tigers where they have lost four wickets before breaching the three-figure mark.