Tamim, Mithun fifty leads Bangladesh to 271-6

Skipper Tamim Iqbal hit 78 while Mohammad Mithun struck a fluent 73 not out as Bangladesh compiled a respectable 271-6 against New Zealand in the second ODI at Hagley Oval in Christchurch today.

Tamim’s 78 off 108 the included 11 boundaries was his 50th half-century in ODI cricket and also was the cornerstone in guiding Bangladesh to a strong total, shrugging off the memory of 131 in the first match in which they conceded an eight-wicket defeat.

Mithun played the key role at the death with an unbeaten 73 off 57, clattering six fours and two sixes. Even though Bangladesh lost opener Liton Das for naught after being sent to bat first, Tamim kept the side unscathed. He got an ably support from Soumya Sarkar and the duo shared an 81-run partnership for the second wicket to make sure that there would be no early collapse like the first ODI.

Soumya was at his attacking best for his known as he hammered a 46 ball-32 with three fours and one six before being stumped by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. Tamim survived an appeal for caught-and-bowled off fast bowler Kyle Jamieson on 34. The soft signal was out with Jamieson diving forward in his follow-through to take a low catch with both hands on the ball before momentum sent him to the floor.

The TV umpire however ruled Tamim not out, much to the disappointment of Jamieson. He then punched Santner for a single towards long-on for his 50th half-century in ODI cricket off 84 balls.

However after completing his sixth half-century against the Kiwis, Tamim though looked set for his century, he was brilliantly run out by James Neesham on 78. Mithn then took the onus to drive the side while Mushfiqur Rahim played a second fiddle to him.

While Rahim (34) and Mahmudullah Riyad (16) had little contribution, Mithun kept the scoreboard ticking rapidly with some big shots at the death overs that took Bangladesh past 250, which was their target. Mitchell Santner grabbed 2-51 while Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry and Trent Boult picked up one wicket apiece.