The first ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand on Thursday, September 21 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, was called off due to rain. Only 33.4 overs were possible in the New Zealand innings, after which rain interrupted play once and for all.
The match commenced with Bangladesh’s skipper, Litton Das, winning the toss and choosing to field first. This decision was made in light of the conditions at the stadium and the team’s strategy for the match, which was initially reduced to a 42-over affair because of the inclement weather.
The match saw some excellent performances from the Bangladesh bowlers. Mustafizur Rahman stood out by picking up three wickets, while Nasum Ahmed chipped in with two. Their efforts were instrumental in putting pressure on the New Zealand batters.
For New Zealand, Will Young and Henry Nicholls were the key contributors with the bat. Young scored 58 runs before being stumped off Nasum Ahmed’s bowling, while Nicholls fell just six runs short of his half-century. However, their efforts were not enough to secure a win for their team.
After the Kiwis lost the early wickets of Chad Bowes and Finn Allen, Young and Nicholls put on 97 runs for the third wicket. The Black Caps finished with 136 for the loss of five wickets in 33.4 overs.
Unfortunately, the match was marred by rain interruptions, which led to a reduction in overs and eventually resulted in the match being called off. Despite the weather playing spoilsport, the match showcased some quality cricket from both sides.
The second ODI of the series is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Fans will be hoping for clear skies and an exciting contest between these two competitive teams.
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