Sakib hits fifty as Bangladesh 244 all out

Sakib hits fifty as Bangladesh 244 all out

Sakib al Hasan slammed a half-century in his 200th one-day international but Bangladesh settled for a mediocre total in their second match of the World Cup against New Zealand at the Oval on Wednesday.

Sakib hit 64 off 68 balls with seven fours as Bangladesh were all out for 244 runs in 49.2 overs after New Zealand asked them to bat first in an overcast condition.

Almost every Bangladeshi batsman got a start but none could make it long innings expect Sakib, the talismanic all-rounder, who lived up to his billing to hit his second fifty in the competition.

Soumya Sarkar and Tamim Iqbal put 45 runs in the opening stand before Soumya perished with a run-a-ball 25.After Bangladesh withered the initial threat, Matt Henry bowled Soumya to end the impressive opening stand and Lockie Ferguson took the control of the innings immediately.

Ferguson bowled with sheer pace to unsettle Tamim Iqbal, who miscued a pull shot to give Trent Boult a simple catch after making 24 runs.Sakib and Mushfiqur Rahim shared 50 runs for the third wicket to repair the damage to put the pressure back on New Zealand for a brief period. 

Sakib looked in imperious form once he struck James Neesham for three fours in one over.A mix-up between Sakib and Mushfiq helped New Zealand claw back as the later was run out for 19.Mushfiq pushed Mitchell Santner towards cover for single but Sakib seemed uninterested. 

By the time he sent back Mushfiq it was too late as Martin Guptill made a quick throw to help Tom Latham dismantle the stumps. Sakib, however, continued to bat in his usual manner and brought his second fifty of the competition off 54 balls.

Colin de Grandhomme delivered a huge blow when he took an edge from Sakib to force him giving a catch to Latham behind the stumps, the all-rounder’s 41-run stand with Mohammad Mithun.Bangladesh began to stutter once Sakib departed as Mithun (21), Mahmdullah (20) both threw their wickets just when they looked set in the middle.Bangladesh could edge closer to 250-run mark owing to a little cameo of Mohammad Saifuddin who made 29 of 23 balls before becoming the last batsman dismissed. 

Henry bowled Saifuddin, who hit three fours and the only six of the innings off Mitchel Santner. 

Henry picked highest 4-47 for New Zealand, who were also brilliant in the field saving at least 25 runs that left Bangladeshi batsmen frustrated at times. Bangladesh earlier fielded an unchanged squad from their Sunday’s 21-run over South Africa at the same ground.New Zealand thrashed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in their first game of the tournament.