Latham ton takes NZ to victory

In spite of stiff resistance from the middle order batters, Bangladesh fell short by 77 runs in the first ODI chasing 341 against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch today

After Bangladesh lost quick wickets after a steady start and were on the back foot at 4-81 inside 18 overs, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim stopped the rot with a 63-run stand for the fifth wicket. Shakib got out at the wrong time for his side after he smashed 59 from 54 balls with five fours and two sixes to his name.

Young Mosaddek Hossain managed to fight back when the chips were down, and the 52-run partnership with Mushfiqur for the seventh wicket kept the visitors in sight of the target. However, Mushfiqur had to retire hurt on 42, hardly able to run and the required run-rate climbed above manageable proportions with only four wickets left.

Mosaddek remained unbeaten on 50 from 44 balls, his maiden ODI fifty. Bangladesh were all out for 264 in 44.5 overs.

For the Blackcaps, Lockie Ferguson and James Neesham took three wickets while Tim Southee captured two. Neesham took the important scalps of Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah Riyad in seven overs for 36 runs.

Earlier, opening batsman Tom Latham scored 137 as New Zealand posted a massive 341, their highest ODI total against Bangladesh. The 24-year-old batsman scored the runs off 121 balls, with seven fours and four sixes as the Black Caps capitalised on a batting friendly wicket and the win of the toss. 

The hosts made a cautious start, and despite losing four wickets for 158 in 29 overs, managed to post the mammoth total, thanks to a 158-run fifth wicket partnership between Latham and Collin Munro, with the latter scoring 87 off just 61 deliveries.

Shakib Al Hasan was the best bowler for Bangladesh, taking three wickets for 69 runs while Mustafizur Rahman, making a comeback after five months, took two wickets for 62 runs. Taskin Ahmed took two wickets too.

Scores in Brief

New Zealand: 341 for 7 (50 overs)

Latham 137, Munro 87, Shakib 3-69

Bangladesh: 264 all out (44.5 overs)

Shakib 59, Mosaddek 50*, Neesham 3-36

Result: New Zealand win by 77 runs