New Zealand produced a disciplined all-round performance to beat Bangladesh by 26 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series on Friday to take a 1-0 lead.Battling the scorching conditions, New Zealand’s pace attack proved decisive, bowling out Bangladesh for 221 in 48.3 overs after setting a target of 248 on a sluggish surface. The trio of Blair Tickner, Nathan Smith and Will Overke took eight wickets, ending the chase with sustained pressure.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Earlier, opting to bat, New Zealand scored 247/8, around Henry Nicholls’ 68 and Dan Foxcroft’s brisk 59. After losing the opening wicket, Nicholls steadied the innings with 73 runs with Will Young, who contributed 30 runs.Bangladesh’s chase got off to a poor start as they slipped to 21/2, but a 93-run stand between Saif Hasan (57) and Latin Das (46) revived hopes. However, O’Rourke’s advances dislodge the safe, leading to disaster at a critical stage.After a brief resistance, Tawheed Hardoy and Afif Hussain put on a 52-run partnership, but left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox broke the partnership, leaving Bangladesh with a lot to do in the final overs.Tickner, who had a mixed start, came back to deliver the match-winning spell, taking four wickets in his final burst to clean up the tail. Smith also made a significant impact early on, striking twice in consecutive balls and taking three wickets.In the end, New Zealand’s superior performance with both bat and ball ensured a crucial start to the series, leaving Bangladesh with plenty to do before the second ODI.
