NZ v BAN ODI series - Bangladesh Player Ratings

New Zealand humiliated Bangladesh in the third and the final ODI to finish a comprehensive 8 wicket win to finish a 3-0 clean sweep over tourist Bangladesh. The rising Asian giants, who enjoyed a wonderful time at home were touring a nation fro the first time in more a year. There was excitement surrounding them and a lot of exciting stuff was being expected from him.

But, what was transpired in the last three ODIs was completely contradictory to what was being anticipated from the. Coming with a lot improved setup and an even better bowling attack, New Zealand expected some challenge. But, unfortunately, none of the Bangladeshi could live up to the promise and failed badly to give the hosts a fairly easy time.  

1.Tamim Iqbal – 5/10:

For Tamim Iqbal, this series was all about strengthening the Bangladesh batting line-up. But, unfortunately, he was inconsistent. As an opener, a batsman is required to perform every single time, especially during a chase.

In the first two ODIs where Bangladesh was asked to chase, Iqbal failed despite getting starts, scoring just 38 and 16. Both the games ended in New Zealand’s favour. He finally got going in the final ODI and hit a half century playing a part in the solid century run stand before throwing away his wicket in frustration.

2. Imrul Kayes – 5.5/10:

Imrul Kayes was better than his opening partner but still under par as far as Bangladesh’s requirement were concerned. The attacking left-handed fared well than Iqbal statistic wise but the impact was missing from his side.The opening match was a failure in which he was able to make only 16 runs during the mammoth chase which Bangladesh lost out. He improved in the coming matches and hitting 59 and 44 in the last two ODIs. Both of his knocks, unfortunately, went in losing causes. His batting effort, which yielded him 119 runs at an average of 36.66, however, was superior than most of his teammates and helped him end as the highest run-getter for Bangladesh this year.

3. Sabbir Rahman 3/10:

Sabbir Rahman, considering all the potential and promise he has shown in the limited overs series, was a big failure in this series. His performances at home prompted many to pin hopes on him for come out well against a strong opposition in their own backyard. He was unable so, however.

It was frustrating to see him fail miserably after getting to good starts. He reached double figures in all the three games, registering scores of 16, 38 and 19. Eventually, the right-hander could manage only 73 runs in three games.

4. Mahmudullah – 1/10:

Mahmudullah was another bright and improved name who failed badly this tour. The memories of the back to back centuries during the 2015 World Cup on a similar type of pitches was evoked when he walked out to bat for the first time in the first match during the huge chase. However, he met with utter failure. All hopes were dashed as the series progressed and the main batsman of the middle order returned with cheap figures of 0, 1 and 3. There would be nothing wrong on blaming him for the team’s failure. His failure can be held as a part reason for the collapses Bangladesh faced in the last games after being in a superior level.

5. Shakib Al Hasan:

The star all-rounder struggled to be consistent and wasn’t able to contribute at the time when it was most required. He started off really well – both with the bat and the ball – scoring 59 and taking 3/69 in the opening match. However, his performance graph went on a downward spiral in the last games and he could manage just 2 wickets and 25 runs collectively in both the matches. Shakib, being the senior and one of the most valuable all-rounders in the world, was no doubt the player to watch out for before the series. His inability to stay on top of the opposition cost the team heavily.

6. Mosaddek Hossain – 4.5/10:

For Mosaddek Hossain, the 21-year-old all –rounder, this series would have been a great learning experience. Although he wasn’t extraordinary, he still fared well and impressed a few. In the fist match of the series, he announced his arrival with a smooth unbeaten fifty in the condition he has never played before in his career. The rest of the series might be forgettable with scores of 3 and 11 against his name. His off-breaks were also fort of ineffective and did not get him noticeable success but from the experience point of view, Hossain would take knowledge in abundance playing on quick swinging conditions.

7. Nurul Hasan – 7/10:

Wicket-keeper batsman Nurul Hasan was lucky enough to get two matches. Had Mushfiqur Rahim not pulled his hamstring during the 1st ODI, Nurul would have perhaps ended up warming up the bench. And, when presented with the opportunity, he grabbed it with both the hands and did an impressive job.

In the second ODI at Nelson, he did a fair job of scoring 24 and then taking catches and effecting a stumping. The performances might not be that impressive. But, he made up for it with a match-defining 44 runs knock in the final ODI to help Bangladesh post a respectable total on the scoreboard.

8. Tanbir Hayder – 2.5/10:

Tanbir Hayder, the leg spinning all rounder, did not enjoy the tour very much and returned wicket less in two games. There was not much he could do as the pitches were quite unhelpful and the New Zealand batsman keen on taking on him. In the 2^nd ODI at Nelson, he managed 0/47 in his 8 over spell while in the 3^rd and the last match he was given only two overs in which he spent 20 runs. In all, he would think of himself as a bit unlucky having had to make his international entry in such a tasteless manner.

9. Mashrafe Mortaza – 6.5/10:

The Bangladesh skipper’s only memorable performance in the series came with the ball when in the 2nd ODI he returned with figures of 3/49. Barring this performance, there wasn’t any extraordinary things he did neither with the bat nor with the ball.

In the opening ODI, he away 61 runs for no return with the ball and could manage just 14 during the 300 runs plus chase. In the final ODI also he was rendered ineffective with the ball and remained wicketless. He did try his bit to contribute with the bat with Nurul Hasan as Bangladesh suffered a slump but, unfortunately, he could not fulfil his intentions and scored just 14.

10. Taskin Ahmed 6.5/10:

Taskin Ahmed, one of the hottest cricketing property Bangladesh has at the moment, was among the wickets but lacked support from others and also leaked too many runs on occasions. The Bangladesh bowling attack perhaps the strongest at the moment in their cricketing history and Ahmed is one of the key components of the attack. But, unluckily, he failed to perform a single match winning bowling spell and was easily dealt by New Zealand. Overall, he could manage just 4 wickets in three matches including best figures of 2/45 which came in the second ODI.

11. Mustafizur Rahman – 7/10:

The ‘wonderboy’ of Bangladesh cricket was the biggest attraction this series from the Bangladesh team. After sizzling performances at home and the IPL, he had to remain in the sidelines due to a stress fracture in the ankle.

There was a buzz around him as he was coming back from the injury for this tour. He was fairly successful with for wickets in the last two matches he was included in the XI. But, he could not produce those match winning, spell biding spells which got him instant fame. May be the New Zealanders were better prepared.