Conway, Sodhi star in New Zealand’s big win

Ish Sodhi’s four wickets followed by Devon Conway’s unbeaten 92 off 52 helped New Zealand to crush Bangladesh in their 66-run win in the first T20I in Hamilton on Sunday.

Chasing a mammoth total of 211, Bangladesh were never at the track to win the battle as bad forms continues for opener Liton Das.

NZ Skipper Southee grabbed Liton’s wicket after scoring only 4 runs. His partner Naeem Sheikh was very smooth with the bat and he scored 27 runs.

After that, the Sodhi show started as he picked up four important wickets in his two overs and ruined the Bangladesh batting order. Soumya Sarkar (5), Mohammad Mithun (4), Mahmudullah Riyad (11), and Sheikh Mahedi (0) have been removed by Sodhi in his first two overs.

Then, a 63 runs partnership between Afif Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin in the seventh wicket only close the defeat gap. Afif was bowled by Ferguson for 45 while Saifuddin was unbeaten for 34.

Earlier, Kiwi captain Tim Southee decided to bat first after winning the toss in Hamilton and they scored 210-3 in twenty overs.

For Bangladesh, debutant spinner Nasum Ahmed is the only successful bowler as he picked up two wickets while other Bangladeshi bowlers were very expensive and all of them were wicketless despite Sheikh Mahedi.

ARR