New Zealand v Bangladesh, 1st T20I - 5 Talking Points

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New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Supreme display of fast bowling from Lockie Ferguson and Ben Wheeler coupled with Kane Williamson’s classy display of batting secured New Zealand a smooth 6 wicket win in the first T20I at the McLean Park, Napier.

Batting first winning the toss, Bangladesh could not leverage on the opportunity to bat on a dry surface and surrender to the pace of the New Zealand bowling attack which was without two of their main bowlers – Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

After suffering slump initially, Bangladesh recovered with the help of Mahmudullah Riyad’s fine fifty and posted a functional total of 141/8. New Zealand, in response, was off to a similar start, but Williamson and Colin de Grandhomme combined to form a match winning 5h wicket stand and finish the chase with12 balls remaining.

1.Three debutants for the hosts:

Tom Bruce, Ben Wheeler and Lockie Ferguson earned their T20I debuts today. But all three had a fantastic day. While Ben Wheeler, the pace bowling all-rounder and Lockie Ferguson, the right arm fast bowler produced appreciable bowling performances. Wheeler finished with 2/22 and Ferguson ended with 3/32, there best among Blackcaps bowlers today. However, Ben Wheeler, who was sent to bat in the middle order, could not impress and made just 7 runs. It was surprising to see Bruce, who has a dangerous reputation in the domestic cricket, fail.

2. Poor start:

The fast bowling trio of Ben Wheeler, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry chip in with the wicket of the Bangladesh top three to put New Zealand on the top. After a slow start by openers Imrul Kayes and Tamim Iqbal, the former became the first to depart after nicking one behind to Ronchi off Matt henry without even opening his account.

A couple of overs later, Wheeler claimed his maiden T20I wicket in the form of the dangerous Tamim Iqbal. And, to make matter worrisome, Lockie Ferguson, the right arm fast bowler, snapped back to back wickets, leaving them struggling at 30/4. Sabbir Rahman, one of Bangladesh’s most trusted batsmen, became his first victim when he gifted a catch to Henry off the first ball in the 6th over before Soumya Sarkar was handed a golden duck off the next delivery.

3. Mahmudullah Riyad – The pilot:

The sudden slump reminded Bangladesh of all the collapses they had in the past year. They had almost repeated the same mistake and gave away wicket in lumps. But, for a change, Mahmudullah Riyad, who failed to get going in the ODI series, came out stringer and played a match-defining 52 runs knock to save Bangladesh from an embarrassing situation. He came in after Ferguson had ripped open the tourist’s batting order and piloted the innings in counter attacking style while forging small yet valuable partnerships with Shakib al Hasan and Mossadek Hossain.

4. Bangladesh gives a good fight:

The Bangla tiger now hoped that their strength – bowling – would come to their rescue and help them pull off a miraculous win. After, the pace bowling attack has indeed helped them pull off close wins in the past. Initially, it seemed they were on course on of doing so. Rubel Hossain justified his place in the team and repaid the faith by bringing the first breakthrough for his side with the wicket of the in-form Neil Broom in the 3rd over.

An over later, wonderboy Mustafizur Rahman got rid of Colin Munro to send worrying signals in the New Zealand camp. The hosts, however, found their foot and headed towards the target but Shakib al Hasan with the wicket of Corey Anderson and Soumya Sarkar by running out Tom Bruce added spice to the contest.

5. Skipper Williamson stands tall:

New Zealand despite losing wickets at regular intervals stayed calm as their skipper Kane Williamson spearhead the chase without much trouble, scoring 73 from just 55 balls. Kane opened the Innings in the absence of Martin Guptill and carried his bat through the chase and help his team register comfortable 6 wicket win.

He saw Broom and Munro depart cheaply and later lost Anderson’s support. But, his calm nerves helped him stay focussed on the target. Colin de Grandhomme (41 from 22 balls) came to the rescue and played perfect foil to Kane and together the duo added 81 run for the 5th wicket and script a simple win.

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