Shanto's 77 takes Bangladesh to 236 in must-win Champions Trophy clash against New Zealand
The captain’s resistance was cut short by a brilliant running catch from Michael Bracewell, ending a knock that had led from the front.
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with a 110-ball 77, while Jaker Ali played a crucial late hand, but an overall dismal display saw Bangladesh limp to 236-9 in their second ICC Champions Trophy group-stage fixture against New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Stadium on Monday.
Shanto held firm alongside Jaker (45 off 55) as the pair attempted to stabilise Bangladesh's innings following a flurry of wickets. However, the captain's resistance was cut short by a brilliant running catch from Michael Bracewell, ending a knock that had led from the front.
Rishad Hossain, who struck 26 off 25 deliveries and seemed poised to push Bangladesh towards a competitive total, was the next to fall, offering an easy catch to Mitchell Santner off Matt Henry. New Zealand's outstanding fielding was on full display once again when Kane Williamson latched onto a sharp chance to dismiss Towhid Hridoy, giving Bracewell his second wicket of the match. In the very next over, Rachin Ravindra took another catch to send Mushfiqur Rahim back, handing Bracewell his third scalp.
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Mahmudullah soon became the latest victim of New Zealand's sharp catching, as O'Rourke's safe hands secured Bracewell's fourth wicket of the game.
Dot balls played a significant role in a number of dismissals, particularly in Hridoy's case. The in-form batter, who had scored a century in his previous match, struggled for rhythm and managed just seven runs off 24 deliveries before his departure. Shanto, however, kept the scoreboard ticking from one end, reaching his 10th ODI half-century.
Tanzid Hasan and Shanto had given Bangladesh a promising start, rotating the strike well and dispatching the loose deliveries to the boundary.
Just as the openers seemed set for a 50-run stand, Bracewell struck in only his second ball of the game, removing Tanzid (24 off 24) in the ninth over with Williamson taking a sharp catch.
Will O'Rourke then provided New Zealand with another breakthrough, dismissing Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who had struck two exquisite boundaries before Mitchell Santner's safe hands at mid-on ended his brief stay at the crease.
