Bangladesh Vs New Zealand ODI in Tri-Nation ODI series played at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground Dublin Wednesday (May 17).

Score Card:

Bangladesh 257/9 (Soumya Sarkar 61, Musfiqur Rahim 55, Mahmudullah Riyad 51, Mosaddek Hossain 41, Bennett 3/31, Sodhi2/40, Neesham 2/68) lost to New Zealand 258/6 in 47.3 overs (Latham 54, Neesham 52, Broom 48, Mustafiz 2/33, Rubel 2/53) by 4 wickets.

Team tigers was left bruised and battered after losing to understrength Kiwis by 4 wickets in the very important third match of tri-nation series now being played in Ireland. Bangladesh losing to depleted New Zealand comprising of many fringe players proved that still lot is need to be done to prove competitive consistently against higher ranked teams in different conditions. Put into bat under heavy cloud conditions and seaming wicket Bangladesh managed 257/9 in allotted overs. The condition changed a bit while New Zealand replied as wicket got eased a lot. Bangladeshi bowlers bowled well in patches with Mustafiz teasing Kiwis with his variations and cutters and Rubel bowling fast and furious. But with two major weapons Shakib and Mashrafe not firing Kiwis cruised to their second successive victories in the tri nation series confirmed more or less their grab on the trophy. Bangladesh bid of elevating its ICC ranking overtaking Sri Lanka seems all but over for now. Kiwis reached 258/6 with 15 balls to spare. 

Soumya and Tamim tried as much as they could on seamer friendly wicket where even the depleted Kiwi attack was very difficult to negotiate. Bangladeshi openers curbed their usual flamboyance put on 71 in the first wicket partnership before Tamim fell. We always mentioned that Sabbir does not have techniques batting higher up against quality attack on difficult wickets. Mahmudullah and even young Mosaddek are far better choice. It was proved beyond doubt yesterday as well. Only difference is that this time he was foxed by Spinner Santer scoring only 1 in 4 balls. Bangladesh lost initiative of a good solid start. Dependable Mushfiq joined Soumya and the partnership kept the rescue act going till Soumya after playing a reasonably good innings of 61 failed again carrying on to a substantially big score. Shakib was expected to play with greater responsibility in such condition but again he failed to deliver. In the meantime, Musfiq kept his acts going. Two dependable Ms Mushfiq and Mahmudullah and later another budding M Mosaddek gave some respectability of innings. Mushfiq 55(66) and Mahmudullah 51(56) once again taught bitter lessons to Bangladesh think tank that there is no alternative to quality and experience. Bangladesh has not found ideal replacement for the duo. Other than these two only Mosaddek with a run a ball 41 could utilise the last few overs. The absence of a genuine finisher Nasir was felt again. Would suggest promoting Mahmudullah batting at three Nasir can be given opportunity in the next match as Bangladesh possibly cannot win the trophy from here. Bangladesh score of 257/9 appeared at least 25 runs short for truly challenging Kiwis. None of the new ball bowlers would retain their position in the ensuing Champions trophy for New Zealand. Yet Bennett and Rance took examination of Bangladesh batting. Bangladeshi batsmen even struggled against Santner and Sodhi. A team looking to prove competitive in Champions trophy failed to evidence that their batsmen were having good grooming in different conditions. 

By the time Kiwis started their difference much of the pace and movement of the wicket was gone. Latham and Ronchi launched counter punch. Mashrafe and Shakib had terrible first spell. However, the pleasant sign of Bangladesh was that ace bowler Mustafiz started bowling with uncanny brilliance again. He fooled Ronchi with a cleverly disguised cutter before he could grow monster. Mashrafe should have relied a bit more on his other spinning resources other than continuing off color Shakib. He himself looked rusty and predictable. Two premiere bowlers Shakib and Mashrafe in 16.3 overs gave away 108 runs for 1 wicket. In a relatively below par score defence this was a turning point. Only Mustafiz with his cutters and variations and Rubel with pace looked threatening. But Kiwis had quality batting and excellence in executing. They did not panic. Latham (54) did the spade work while Nisham (52) and Broom (48) weathered the mini storm that Fizz created. Kiwis hopped across the target losing 6 wickets and leaving 15 balls in the match. Bangladesh cannot earn the points from the remaining two matches to take them ahead of Sri Lanka. Rather they may go below Pakistan if they lose both.

Honestly speaking we do not observe a plan B or C in Bangladesh match planning. Why the so called top head coach does not understand that less equipped blaster type of batsman Sabbir cannot cope with the difficult responsibility of batting at three against quality attack on a lively wicket. His type better suits down the order. Mahmudullah, Mosaddek are far better batsman in that spot. Moreover, Nasir needs an opportunity at least in his favourite spot as finisher. Will Bangladesh have courage resting Shakib for a match? It is time he gets a shock to let him spark again. Bangladesh think tank must realise that consistency in performance require lot of brain storming by quality cricket thinkers. Oppositions have worked out key strength of Bangladesh. But Bangladesh appears typical pattern cannot make required adjustments with changing conditions. Here is what Hatura Singhe lacks. 

BDST: 0858 HRS, MAY 18, 2017
SI