New Zealand lead ODI series in Dhaka

New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the one-day international series in Dhaka on Friday, beating Bangladesh by 26 runs after a late collapse in the chase. (espncricinfo.com) At Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on April 17, New Zealand made 247 for 8 in 50 overs and bowled Bangladesh out for 221 in 48.3 overs. Dean Foxcroft made 59 from 58 balls, Henry Nicholls scored 68, and Blair Tickner finished with 4 for 40. (espncricinfo.com) Bangladesh were 184 for 4 and still in range of the target before losing their last six wickets for 37 runs. Saif Hassan made 57 and Towhid Hridoy added 55, but Nathan Smith’s early wickets and Tickner’s burst at the end turned the match. (espncricinfo.com) The result put Bangladesh behind in a three-match ODI series that opens a longer home stretch against New Zealand. The second ODI is scheduled for April 20 in Dhaka, and the third for April 23 in Chattogram. (icc-cricket.com) Bangladesh came into the series with momentum after a 2-1 ODI series win in Pakistan last month, and they kept the same 15-man squad for the first two matches against New Zealand. Mehidy Hasan Miraz is leading that group. (icc-cricket.com) Nahid Rana still gave Bangladesh a bright spell with the ball. The fast bowler dismissed Foxcroft, one of New Zealand’s two half-centurions, while Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Rishad Hossain also took two wickets each. (espncricinfo.com) New Zealand’s attack did most of its damage through changes of pace rather than a single big new-ball burst. ESPNcricinfo reported that Tickner mixed cutters and slower balls as Bangladesh’s asking rate climbed from 4.88 to 7.11 during a slow middle phase. (espncricinfo.com) The opening win also came from a New Zealand side missing several first-choice names, with Foxcroft named player of the match for his 59 and 1 for 25. Bangladesh now need a win on April 20 to level the series before it moves out of Dhaka. (apnews.com)