Bangladesh beat New Zealand XI by 26 runs in their lone practice match in Christchurch today, ahead of their three-match ODI series against the Black Caps. Rishad Hossain impressed with an all-round performance, while a few top-order batsman hit fifties.
Bangladesh successfully defended a 335-run goal at Lincoln University, bowling out the hosts for 308 in 49.2 overs.
Bharat Popli and Sandeep Patel led the way with 92 and 89 runs, respectively. Rishad, the leg-spinner, grabbed three wickets, while Hasan Mahmum and Afif Hossain both took two.
Rishad had previously been the Tigers’ top batter while batting seventh. After the demise of Liton Das (55 off 63), which ended a 70-run stand between the Bangladesh captain and Rishad, the visitors were six down for 254 in 38.2 overs.
Despite little help from the tail, who combined to score 14 of the 80 runs after Liton left, Rishad continued to pile on the runs as Bangladesh posted 334 all out in 49.5 overs. Samrath Singh took four wickets for 74 runs in ten overs.
Bangladesh team management will be thrilled as well, given that the erratic top order finally clicked. Fiftys from opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim (46-ball 58) and Soumya Sarkar (55 off 63) at one-down pushed the visitors to a commanding 170 for two in 22.2 overs, resulting in a 101-run second-wicket stand off 75 deliveries.
Bangladesh will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty-Twenty-Innings (T20Is) against New Zealand next. The tour will go off on December 17 with the opening ODI in Dunedin.