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Tom Latham powers New Zealand to 77-run win over Bangladesh

by Manuj Sharma Monday 26 December 2016

New Zealand have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series

©REUTERS MEDIA EXPRESS

New Zealand 341-7 (Latham 137) beat
Bangladesh 264 (Shakib 59) by 77 runs
First One-Day International in Christchurch
Scorecard

After a brilliant 137 from Tom Latham and a quick fire 87 from Colin Munro powered New Zealand to 341 for seven, the Black Caps bowlers did extremely well in restricting Bangladesh to 264, thereby securing a 77-run win in the first One-Day International in Christchurch.

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first. Mustafizur Rahman (2-62) struck early on his comeback game to dismiss Martin Guptill (15) but Latham (137) and Kane Williamson (31) joined together for a 48-run stand.

In the process, Williamson also became the fastest New Zealand batsman to 4,000 ODI runs. Taskin Ahmed (2-70) provided Bangladesh the breakthrough when he had the New Zealand captain caught behind.

A double strike from Shakib Al Hasan (3-69) had Neil Broom (22) and James Neesham (12) dismissed but Latham completed his fifty off 56 deliveries. New Zealand were 158 for four at that stage in the 29th over.

Any chance of Bangladesh making a comeback was put to halt when Munro (87) joined Latham. The pair brought their 50-run stand off 52 deliveries as the Bangladesh bowlers were put to test.

Latham too raced to a run-a-ball 100 while Munro, who had three boundaries and as many sixes by then completed a 44-ball fifty, also bringing a 80-ball century stand between the two.

The 158-run finally ended when Munro was caught at point to give Shakib his third wicket. Latham fell in the 48th over but New Zealand managed to post a mammoth 341 for seven in the 50 overs.

In response, Tamim Iqbal (38) and Imrul Kayes (16) provided a solid 38-run opening stand. James Neesham (3-36) struck thrice in quick succession to remove Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar (1) and Mahmudullah (0).

When Bangladesh were reeling at 81 for four, Shakib (59) and Mushfiqur Rahim (42) provided some stability with a 63-run stand.

Lockie Ferguson (3-54) pegged Bangladesh further when he dismissed Shakib and Sabbir Rahman (16) while Rahim was retired hurt and did not return to bat.

With the required run rate climbing high, Mosaddek Hossain (50 not out) waged a lone fight but wickets continued to tumble at the other end as they succumbed to a 77-run defeat.

The win has taken New Zealand to 1-0 lead in the three-match series with Latham bagging the man of the match.