ICC World Cup: Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson help New Zealand beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson shined with the bat as New Zealand effortlessly chased down Bangladesh's 245 with 43 balls to spare on Friday at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium. Captain Kane Williamson, who played his first game of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 today, retired hurt after making 78 runs from 107 balls. Daryl Mitchell remained unbeaten on 89 from 67 balls. The right-hander's innings comprised of six boundaries and four maximums. Glenn Philips remained not out on 16 from 11 balls. After Bangladesh made 245/9, the Kiwis lost in-form Rachin Ravindra early in the innings for 9 (13). Mustafizur Rahman dismissed the youngster who was promoted to the opener's slot following Williamson's return. The New Zealand captain steadied the run chase along with Devon Conway who made 45 from 59 deliveries before being sent back by Shakib Al Hasan. This brought a more aggressive Mitchell to the crease, who took charge of the chase, letting his skipper play second-fiddle. The New Zealand dressing room, however, was not happy to see an exhausted Williamson walking back retired hurt after attempting a flashy drive. This was after he had taken a blow to his left thumb. Mushfiqur Rahim made 66 from 75 balls while Shakib Al Hasan was dismissed for 40 from 51. Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on 41 and provided some fire to the Bangladesh innings towards the end. The Tigers began on a disastrous note, losing Litton Das (0) off the very first delivery of the game to pacer Trent Boult, as his attempted flick was collected by Matt Henry in fine leg. Tanzid Hasan (16 ) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (30) tried to put up some resistance before the former fell prey to pacer Lockie Ferguson, offering a catch to Devon Conway in square leg in the eighth over. Notably, Tanzid was dropped when he was yet to open his account by Tom Latham in the opening over. It was a tough chance, nonetheless. When the score read 56, Bangladesh lost Miraz to Ferguson, followed by Najmul Hossain Shanto (7) to spinner Glenn Phillips. Losing two wickets in a space of three balls was a body blow for Bangladesh, only for Shakib and Mushfiqur to take control for some time with a 96-run partnership for the fifth wicket.However, Shakib appeared to be struggling in the hot and humid conditions here, taking a medical break before eventually being dismissed by Ferguson in the 30th over. The pitch appeared to be assisting the pacers, and Ferguson looked to capitalise with his 'bowl short and quick' strategy. Also, the strip utilised was different from the one that helped the spinners during the India-Australia contest on Sunday.Meanwhile, Mushfiqur brought up his 48th ODI half-century and was cleverly attacking the loose deliveries, while spinners Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra bowled tight lines.In the 36th over, pacer Matt Henry gave the Kiwis relief as he bowled Mushfiqur with a beautiful slower off-cutter that stayed low and uprooted the off-stump, leaving Bangladesh at 175 for six. After losing the seventh wicket in Towhid Hridoy for 13, Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed (17) added 34 runs for the eighth wicket before the latter gave a catch to Daryl Mitchell off Santner. While Mustafizur Rahman was the ninth man out in the 48th over, the final pair managed to bat out the remaining deliveries.Mitchell Santner was the most economical of them all, finishing with figures of 1/31 in 10 overs. - With PTI inputs

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ICC World Cup: Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson help New Zealand beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

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