No relief in New Zealand as Bangladesh women lose first ODI

Bangladesh women's cricket team continued their poor run in New Zealand as the visitors began the ICC Women's Championship with an eight-wicket defeat against the White Ferns in the first of the three-match ODI series at the Basin Reserve in Wellington today. 

Skipper Nigar Sultana fought the lone battle with a career-best 73 runs off 113 deliveries where she struck four boundaries and a six before being run out as Bangladesh managed to post 180 for 8 in 50 overs after electing to bat first.

Right-arm seamer Jessica Kerr remained the pick of the bowlers for the hosts bagging four wickets. 

New Zealand reached the target comfortably with the loss of only two wickets and had 19 overs to spare, courtesy of unbeaten fifties from opener Suzie Bates and Maddy Green. 
Bates remained not out on 93 off 91 balls striking 12 fours while Green was unbeaten on 59 off 70 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.

Jahanara Alam picked up the two New Zealand wickets for Bangladesh. 

The visitors were previously whitewashed in the three-match T20I series. The second ODI will take place on Wednesday in Napier.