New Zealand Ends 15-Year Drought in Bangladesh with Thrilling ODI Victory

Ish Sodhi claimed a career-best 6-39 as New Zealand claimed a first victory in Bangladesh in nearly 15 years on Saturday in a dramatic ODI where he was also reprieved from a ‘Mankad’ dismissal. Sodhi’s maiden five-wicket haul helped New Zealand clinch an 86-run win, bowling out Bangladesh for 168 in 41.1 overs after Tom Blundell’s 68 had guided the visitors to 254 in the second ODI of the three-match series. The Kiwis last beat Bangladesh in their own backyard in October 2008. They then lost the next two series in 2010 and 2013, respectively, by 4-0 and 3-0.

Sodhi also played his part with the bat, scoring a vital 35 before he was the last man out after New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat. Sodhi was earlier run-out at the non-striker’s end by Hasan Mahmud when he had made 17, but Bangladesh captain Liton Das sportingly withdrew the ‘Mankad’ appeal as the Kiwi was walking back to the pavilion.

The leg-spinner showed no intention of returning the favour, dismissing Tanzid Hasan (16), Soumya Sarkar (0), Towhid Hridoy (4) after Kyle Jamieson removed Liton for six to give New Zealand the first breakthrough.

“It’s a really good day. Historically, we haven’t done well and nice to get the win. It was nice of Liton for calling me back after the Mankad,” said man-of-the-match Sodhi.

Tamim Iqbal tried to rescue the side amid a free fall of wickets before he too fell to Sodhi for 44, leaving Bangladesh stuttering at 92-5. Sodhi also ended a fledging partnership between Mahmudullah Riyad and Mahedi Hasan, bowling out the latter for 17 to complete his five-wicket haul. Mahmudullah made 49 before he was removed by Cole McConchie. Sodhi went one better, bowling Hasan Mahmud out for duck and could have claimed his seventh wicket if Finn Allen hadn’t dropped Nasum Ahmed at slip off his final delivery.

Blundell earlier smashed six fours and a six in his second ODI half-century, helping New Zealand recover from 36-3 after stand-in captain Henry Nicholls chipped in with 49 as the pair added 95 for the fourth wicket to steady the New Zealand innings.

Bangladesh seized the early momentum in overcast conditions thanks to left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who dismissed openers Will Young for a duck and Allen for 12. Debutant Khaled Ahmed forced Chad Bowes (14) to edge a catch at square leg to Hridoy for his maiden wicket. Khaled also broke the partnership between Blundell and Nicholls by dismissing the latter and Hasan soon uprooted the off-stump of Blundell to put New Zealand in danger. But Sodhi, McConchie (20) and Jamieson (20) all made decent scores down the order to take New Zealand’s tally past the 250-run mark before they were all out in 49.2 overs.

“Their lower order did really well. The wicket was not bad to bat on. Probably [we were] not up to the mark in batting,” said Bangladesh captain Liton. Off-spinner Mahedi and pacer Khaled claimed 3-45 and 3-60 for Bangladesh respectively.

The first of the series was washed out by rain on Thursday. The third and final match of the series will be held at the same ground on Tuesday before both sides head for the World Cup in India which gets underway on October 5.

(This story has not been edited by Smartkhabrinews staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP)

Key Highlights:

• New Zealand secured their first victory in Bangladesh in nearly 15 years.
• Ish Sodhi claimed a career-best 6-39, earning him the Man of the Match title.
• Tom Blundell’s impressive 68 runs contributed to New Zealand’s total of 254.
• The Kiwis last won in Bangladesh in October 2008 but had lost the following two series.
• The third and final match of the series will take place before both teams head to the World Cup in India.