NZ edge-out Bangladesh in WC thriller

New Zealand edged-out Bangladesh by two wickets in a thrilling ICC Cricket World Cup fixture worked off at The Oval in London yesterday.
New Zealand reached their victory target of 244 runs with two wickets and 17 balls to spare with Ross Taylor making a top score of 82 from 91 deliveries inclusive of nine boundaries. 
Earlier, New Zealand bowled tightly and fielded with high intensity to restrict Bangladesh to a modest total of 244 all out.
After New Zealand had won the toss, Shakib al Hasan top scored for Bangladesh with 64 and several batsmen made starts but they lost wickets at regular intervals and were never able to dominate a disciplined bowling attack.
Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar shared an opening partnership of 45 before Sarkar was bowled by Matt Henry for 25 and Tamim skied a simple catch to mid-wicket off Lockie Ferguson for 24.
Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahman added 50 for the third wicket but the stand ended when Mushfiqur was run out for 19 following a mix-up with his partner.
Shakib reached his fifty off 54 balls before he edged medium-pacer Colin de Grandhomme to wicket-keeper Tom Latham and Mohammad Mithun, on 26, was caught by De Grandhomme at fine leg off a short ball from Henry.
Needing to accelerate to get close to 300, a par score on the usual batting-friendly Oval wicket, Bangladesh boundaries were in short supply and Mahmudullah departed for 20.  (Agencies)
Mohammad Saifuddin struck the only six of the innings in the 45th over but it was a rare joyful moment for the boisterous Bangladesh fans and Henry bowled him for 29 with the second ball of the final over to end the innings. New Zealand edged-out Bangladesh by two wickets in a thrilling ICC Cricket World Cup fixture worked off at The Oval in London yesterday.
New Zealand reached their victory target of 244 runs with two wickets and 17 balls to spare with Ross Taylor making a top score of 82 from 91 deliveries inclusive of nine boundaries. 
Earlier, New Zealand bowled tightly and fielded with high intensity to restrict Bangladesh to a modest total of 244 all out.
After New Zealand had won the toss, Shakib al Hasan top scored for Bangladesh with 64 and several batsmen made starts but they lost wickets at regular intervals and were never able to dominate a disciplined bowling attack.
Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar shared an opening partnership of 45 before Sarkar was bowled by Matt Henry for 25 and Tamim skied a simple catch to mid-wicket off Lockie Ferguson for 24.
Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahman added 50 for the third wicket but the stand ended when Mushfiqur was run out for 19 following a mix-up with his partner.
Shakib reached his fifty off 54 balls before he edged medium-pacer Colin de Grandhomme to wicket-keeper Tom Latham and Mohammad Mithun, on 26, was caught by De Grandhomme at fine leg off a short ball from Henry.
Needing to accelerate to get close to 300, a par score on the usual batting-friendly Oval wicket, Bangladesh boundaries were in short supply and Mahmudullah departed for 20.  (Agencies)
Mohammad Saifuddin struck the only six of the innings in the 45th over but it was a rare joyful moment for the boisterous Bangladesh fans and Henry bowled him for 29 with the second ball of the final over to end the innings.