New Zealand’s third straight victory at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 further demonstrates that they are in great shape. On Friday, the Black Caps upset Bangladesh at Chepauk, Chennai, by an eight-wicket margin.
Yet, the victory was tainted by Kane Williamson experiencing yet another injury concern. The Kiwi captain scored a crucial 78 before withdrawing injured.
The 2023 edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will surely rank among the most exciting moments in history. The best online cricket betting sites India have the major cricket clash events as their primary points of interest, where you can place your bets.
The Rundown: New Zealand vs Bangladesh
Williamson batted brilliantly in the first major competition since bursting his knee ligament in March, as they chased 246 to prevail in Chennai. In New Zealand’s preliminary matches against South Africa and Pakistan, neither of whom had formal ODI status, he had previously displayed encouraging promise.
New Zealand Seal 8-Wicket Victory
On Friday, New Zealand triumphed over Bangladesh by an 8-wicket margin to win the ICC World Cup for three consecutive wins. Bangladesh got 245 for nine after being asked to bat first. With 43 balls remaining, the Kiwis successfully surpassed the target. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell each got 78 and 89 in favor of New Zealand.
A Peril for the Bangladesh Team
After Litton Das was dismissed with the initial ball of the game, Bangladesh found their team in peril as Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson had them spinning at 56 for four in the 13th over.
As Bangladesh progressed to 156 in the 30th over, where Ferguson sent back the former to claim his third wicket, captain Shakib Al Hasan (40 off 51 balls) and his veteran colleague Mushfiqur Rahim (66 off 75) put up an aggregate of 96 runs for the fifth wicket. Following that, Matt Henry took out Mushfiqur to go after Bangladesh.
Player of the Game: Lockie Ferguson
They had trust in Ferguson to get hitters out on an unusual Chepauk pitch. He managed to bounce them out. He continues to bounce them out.
Trent Boult and Matt Henry didn’t see the ball spin or seam enough in the opening exchanges, so Kane Williamson threw Ferguson the hard, new ball. Tanzid Hasan was quickly put on the back foot by the rapid bowler’s initial throw to him, a lifter from above the wicket.
Ferguson then changed his strategy to bowl around the wicket, forcing the batter to serve the entire ball to square leg. He quickly forced Mehidy Hasan Miraz to attach a hook to a long leg.
No obstacle could derail Ferguson’s or New Zealand’s well-laid strategies. The greatest batters from Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Shakib Al Hasan attempted to respond to Ferguson with hooks and ramps, but Ferguson kept pounding the center of the Chepauk deck as he controlled it.
Ferguson unleashed a much more devastating bouncer at Shakib’s ribs after he had flapped a hook for six, forcing him to top-edge it to the keeper for 40 from 51 balls.
Ferguson put forth a strong performance in Chennai and helped New Zealand secure a significant victory with his 3 for 49 in ten overs after missing the first match of the World Cup against England due to back discomfort.
New Zealand v Bangladesh Score
| Bangladesh | New Zealand |
| 245/9(50 overs) | 248/2(42.5 overs) |
| New Zealand won the game by 8 wickets with 43 balls remaining | |
It was not good enough, as New Zealand maintained the early tempo at the very top of the standings with their third victory after dominating the holders, England and the Netherlands, earlier in the tournament.
Despite beating Afghanistan in their World Cup opener, Bangladesh has lost its previous two games to New Zealand and England.
The Men’s Cricket World Cup keeps getting more and more thrilling. Witness your team compete for the title and don’t forget to place your bets at the best online cricket betting sites India.