Alesha Mart T20 Series 
Bangladesh VS New Zealand 
1st Match Played at Siddon Park, Hamilton on 28 March 2021 
New Zealand 210/3 (Devon Conway 92, Will Young 53, Martin Guptill 35, Glen Phillips 24*, Nasum Ahmed 2/30)
Bangladesh 144/8 (Afif Hossain 45, Mohammad Saifuddin 34*, Mohammad Naim 27, Ish Sodhi 4/28, Lockie Ferguson 2/28)
New Zealand won by 66 runs
Player of The Match: Devon Conway

While batting current Kiwi batting sensation Devon Conway pairing with rookie will Young produced 108 runs 3rd wicket partnership in 10 overs. New Zealand producing 210/3 blasting poor Bangladesh attack threw them out of the match. Then Willy craftsman leg spinner Ish Sodhi blew away the middle order taking 4/28. Bangladesh could reach 1444/8 through some brave batting of Afif Hossain 45 and Mohammad Saifuddin 34*. New Zealand thrashed Bangladesh by 66 runs. Bangladesh also found fearsome fast bowling of Tim Ferguson too hot to handle.

Siddon Park wicket of Hamilton has pace and bounce. The ground is pretty small. The day was overcast. Bangladesh definitely did not do it right resting their two ace pace bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossian. It was not very sure that the reported reason for resting Mushfique as shoulder injury was correct. Many got surprised finding Liton and Soumya in the team. Well taking Liton has a point. He had to keep wicket. But why Soumya after his failures and novice like batting in ODI. Anyway Naim, Nasum, Afif and Shoriful were finally taken. Three of the four justified their inclusion.

Nasum bowling brilliantly removed Finn and Guptill. He could have removed Conway as well but the catch that Shoriful at the boundary was ruled a six. It was a controversial decision. No other bowler could contain free flowing aggressive batting on Conway and Young. The scintillating display of power hitting of the pair produced 108 runs in 10 overs. The match was taken out of Bangladesh grasp. Conway remained unbeaten 92 scored of 52 deliveries. Young on his debut innings scored 53 off only 30 deliveries. Nasum took 2/30. All other bowlers including Mustafiz and Saifuddin conceded between 9.25 -12.50 per over. New scored 210/3 despite of far improved fielding by the Bangladeshis on the day.

Chasing 211 for a win was a very tall order for Bangladesh. Yet Young Naim was looked positive. But Liton, Soumya failing early as usual created pressure on the middle order. Middle order cracked failing to read the variation of talented leg spinner Ish Sodhi taking 4/28. Lockie Ferguson bowling at pace also caused discomfort for Bangladesh. Yet Afif looked positive in his quality innings of 45. In the end Saifuddin was batted well in his unbeaten 34. Bangladesh could reach 144 /8 still 66 runs in arrear.

Bangladesh cannot play on pacey wicket with steep bounce, Bangladesh melts under quality leg spin. Who can cure these? Till these viruses are cured with right vaccines Bangladesh will remain object of ridicules in world cricket. A very sad commentary of Bangladesh cricket. 

BDST: 1153 HRS, MAR 28, 2021
SMS