Shanto: Spinners need to learn quickly

17 Dec 23 16:26:30

|| AFP ||

Opener Will Young cracked a rapid century as New Zealand recovered from a dreadful start to beat Bangladesh by 44 runs on Sunday in the rain-affected first one-day international.

The match was shortened to 30 overs each after three rain delays to New Zealand's innings in Dunedin. The home side burst into life in the final stages to post an imposing 239-7.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said the result was "very disappointing" after pacer Shoriful Islam's early fireworks.

"If we'd taken a third wicket, it could have been a different ball game," said Shanto, before singling out the expensive spin bowling of Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain as a weak point.

"I think our fast bowlers bowled really well but our spinners need to learn quickly before the next match."

Needing an adjusted target of 245 to win the first ODI of the three-match series, Bangladesh were restricted to 200-9 in a chase that lost momentum.