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Sports, Cricket

‘Spinners need to learn quickly’


By AFP
Published : 17 Dec 2023 09:02 PM

Opener Will Young cracked a rapid century as New Zealand recovered from a dreadful start to beat Bangladesh by 44 runs on Sunday in the rain-affected first one-day international.

The match was shortened to 30 overs each after three rain delays to New Zealand's innings in Dunedin.

The home side burst into life in the final stages to post an imposing 239-7.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said the result was "very disappointing" after pacer Shoriful Islam's early fireworks.

"If we'd taken a third wicket, it could have been a different ball game," said Shanto, before singling out the expensive spin bowling of Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain as a weak point. "I think our fast bowlers bowled really well but our spinners need to learn quickly before the next match."

Shoriful was comfortably Bangladesh's best bowler, taking 2-28 off six overs.

The chase began brightly, with opener Anamul Haque reaching 43, supported by Towhid Hridoy (33) and Liton Das (22), who all scored at better than a run a ball.

However, the pursuit tailed off when Afif Hossain fell for a hard-hit 38 in the 24th over, with his team still needing 80 runs.

New Zealand's best bowling figures of 2-24 were recorded by allrounder Josh Clarkson, who made his debut along with seamer William O'Rourke. The remaining games are in Nelson and Napier next week as Bangladesh seek their first ODI win over the Black Caps on New Zealand soil after 17 defeats.