NEW DELHI:
New Zealand
secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in their one-day international series against
Bangladesh
with a convincing seven-wicket win in Nelson on Wednesday.
Henry Nicholls
fell just short of a century, contributing significantly to the Black Caps' successful chase of Bangladesh's target of 292.
Bangladesh's
Soumya Sarkar
had earlier played a stellar innings, scoring a superb 169 off 151 balls, guiding his team to a respectable total of 291 all out.
However, Sarkar's efforts were not enough to break Bangladesh's ODI streak in New Zealand, as the visitors have now lost all 18 of their previous 50-over matches against the Black Caps in the country.
Nicholls' innings of 95 off 99 balls led New Zealand's strong reply, steering them to a comfortable victory. The win in Nelson follows New Zealand's 44-run victory in the first game on Sunday, sealing the series with one match still to be played in Napier on Saturday.
Soumya Sarkar's boundary-laden innings included 22 fours and two sixes, falling just short of the Bangladesh ODI batting record of 176. He played a crucial role in a 91-run fifth-wicket partnership with veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim before departing in the 49th over.
In the response, New Zealand's openers set the tone with a quick start, reaching 76/1 after ten overs. Despite Bangladesh debutant Rishad Hossain's impressive catch to dismiss Rachin Ravindra for 45, New Zealand's batters continued to dominate.
Will Young, who scored 105 in the first ODI, contributed significantly with 89, forming a lucrative second-wicket partnership of 129 runs with Nicholls. After Nicholls' dismissal, Tom Latham and
Tom Blundell
guided the team to victory, with Blundell sealing the win with a six in the 46th over.
The comprehensive victory showcases New Zealand's dominance in the series, with the third and final ODI set to take place in Napier on Saturday.
(With inputs from AFP)
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