In the second One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series, Soumya Sarkar’s century was in vain as New Zealand won by seven wickets at the Saxton Oval in Nelson today.
New Zealand’s victory in Nelson follows their convincing 44-run victory in the opening game of the series on Sunday, giving them an unbeatable 2-0 lead. On Saturday, the third and final ODI will take place in Napier.
Bangladesh’s wretched ODI run in New Zealand continues despite a magnificent 169 off 151 balls from the left-hander. Bangladesh has now lost all 18 of their previous 50-over encounters against the Black Caps.”I’m pleased with my hundred, but I’m sorry we didn’t win. During a post-match presentation ceremony, player-of-the-match Soumya stated, “If we had won, it would have been more special.”
In their match against the Black Caps in New Zealand, Soumya’s innings helped Bangladesh to their highest-ever total of 291, however the batsman claimed the score was insufficient to be defended.
“It might have mattered if we hadn’t dropped three wickets in the powerplay. We had two middle-order partnerships, but we lost wickets when it mattered most. We would have received a solid sum if that had not occurred,” he said.
Along the way, Soumya accomplished a noteworthy milestone: his score of 169 is currently the highest for an Asian person in New Zealand. In Christchurch in 2009, he beat the previous mark set by Sachin Tendulkar, which was 163 not out against New Zealand.
“I’m returning to the team after a protracted absence. I’m just watching the ball and trying to play my own game, not thinking too much. “I believe the pull shot over mid-wicket has to be my favorite shot of the day,” Soumya continued.
After being dismissed last Sunday, Soumya came back with a brilliant innings, hitting 22 fours and two sixes. He fell just short of Liton Das’s 176-score Bangladesh ODI batting record against Zimbabwe in March 2020.
During a 91-run fifth-wicket partnership with seasoned batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya was knocked out. After being caught behind by seamer William O’Rourke in the 49th over, Sarkar eventually went out. This was the first of three wickets the New Zealand spinner took in the last six deliveries.