Mehidy blames dropped catches for defeat to New Zealand

Bangladesh ODI skipper MehidyHasan blamed twodropped catches and batting meltdown against New Zealand after his side lost by 26 runs in the three match ODI series opener against visitors New Zealand at Mirpur on Friday.

Miraz however praised Mirpur's wicket and his bowlers' good execution against New Zealand batters.

"I think we bowled really well and [even] 270 is not difficult to chase on this wicket. I think it's a great wicket and our bowlers did very well [to restrict NZ to 247]. If we had taken two catches, definitely we would have kept them under 200 runs," Miraz said after the match.

"So, it's a little mistake from our team. I think we have a lot of positives as well… one of the positives came as a blessing in disguise, the inclusion of Shoriful [Islam] last minute," he added.

Bangladesh suffered a 26-run defeat to New Zealand in the opening match of the three-match ODI series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, undone by a disciplined and skillful display from the visitors' pace attack.

The New Zealand fast-bowling trio of Blair Tickner, Nathan Smith and Will O'Rourke shared eight wickets to bowl Bangladesh out for 221 in 48.3 overs, successfully defending a total of 247-8 on a slow surface.

"I think back-to-back two wickets is always key for the opponent's team. The way Litton and Towhid batted was brilliant… Towhid and Afif as well. But we had to finish well, otherwise we cannot win. If we made a big partnership, definitely we would have won this one," Mirazsaid.

After opting to bat first, New Zealand recovered from an early setback to post a competitive total, thanks to a composed 68 from Henry Nicholls and a brisk 59 by Dean Foxcroft.

The pair played key roles in steadying and accelerating the innings respectively after a shaky start following their captain Tom Latham's decision to bat.

Shoriful Islam, who was drafted into the squad by replacing the injured MustafizurRahman just before the toss, struck early by removing Nick Kelly. 
He could have had Will Young cheaply as well, but a dropped catch allowed the batter to survive on 1 and contribute 30 in a crucial 73-run stand with Nicholls.

Playing his first ODI since December, 2024, Shoriful finally ended with an envious bowling figure of 2-27 in 10 overs. 

Leg-spinner RishadHossain provided a breakthrough by dismissing Young and later Nicholls to leave New Zealand at 127-4. 

Nicholls struck nine boundaries in his 83-ball knock. MehidyHasanMiraz also chipped in by removing Latham for 14.

Foxcroft then guided the lower order with a fluent 58-ball innings, featuring eight fours, before NahidRana rattled his stump with searing pace. 

In reply, Bangladesh were rocked early, slumping to 21-2 before SaifHasanand Liton Das rebuilt the innings with a 93-run partnership. Saif top-scored with 57 after surviving an early chance, while Liton added 46.

O'Rourke broke the stand by removing Saif, and Foxcroft chipped in with the wicket of Liton to put Bangladesh under pressure. 

TowhidHridoy and AfifHossain then added 52 runs for the fifth wicket to revive hopes, but left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox dismissedAfif for 27 at a crucial stage.

Tickner, who was initially erratic, returned strongly to claim 4-40, taking all four wickets in his final spell to dismantle the lower order. 

Despite a spirited fightback in patches, Bangladesh failed to keep up with the mounting pressure as New Zealand sealed a deserved victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series.