Sarkar breaks Tendulkar’s long-standing record with highest century but B’desh lose to Kiwis

Thursday, 21 December 2023 01:31 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A record knock from opener Soumya Sarkar was not enough as New Zealand prevailed in second ODI against Bangladesh in Nelson.

Despite a lean run in ODIs over the last two years and missing out on selection for Bangladesh’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 squad, the left-hander belted 169 (151), hitting 22 fours and a pair of sixes.

The effort from the 30-year-old is the highest score by a Bangladesh men’s player away from home in an ODI, and the highest in ODIs by a player from the sub-continent in New Zealand, passing Sachin Tendulkar’s 163* against the Kiwis in Christchurch in 2009. The total of 291 is also Bangladesh’s highest ODI score in New Zealand.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Bangladesh looked in trouble, losing their first three wickets inside the 10-over mark. Soumya also lost a fourth partner in Towhid Hridoy (12) during the rebuild, but found help through wicket-keeper/batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 45 (57) in a partnership of 91.

After Mushfiqur’s dismissal to Jacob Duffy (3/51 from 10 overs), Soumya pressed on to help his team pass 200, upping his rate of scoring while Mehidy Hasan Miraz (19) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (13) attempted to chip in.

Mehidy was dismissed by New Zealand ODI debutant leg-spinner Adithya Ashok, who looked impressive despite finishing with figures of 1/63 from 10 overs next to his name. Fellow youngster William O’Rourke finished with 3/47 (9.5), taking all three wickets in the final over of the innings and preventing Soumya from breaking Litton Das’ record of the highest ODI score by a Bangladesh player (176 in Sylhet against Zimbabwe in 2020).

New Zealand were emphatic in their response, chasing down the target of 292 with seven wickets in hand and with 22 balls to spare.

Will Young (89 from 94 balls) and Henry Nicholls (95 from 99 balls) led the way for the hosts, with Rachin Ravindra (45 from 33 balls) contributing to the top-order effort.

Tom Latham (34* from 32) and Tom Blundell (24* from 20) closed out the chase in the 47th over.