N78ew Zealand’s skipper and star battter, Kane Williamson returned to action in the World Cup with a score of 78 runs to give New Zealand their third win in three games as the Kiwis managed to cruise past Bangladesh securing a victory by eight wickets. Williamson was unfortunately forced to retire as he picked up a thumb injury in his left hand during the chase.
Kane Williamson had been out of action after he picked up a knee injury when playing for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League and was out of action in New Zealand’s first two wins in the World Cup.
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As the Kiwis were asked to chase down 246, the 33-year-old who was playing his first one-day international game since January managed to score his 43rd International fifty scoring it with 81 deliveries and looked to be in line to pick up yet another ton.
He was forced to retire himself out after a throw from the Bangladeshi fielder managed to get him in the left thumb which was unprotected by the gloves as it got jammed with the handle of the bat.
In discussion with the medical team, and with the Black Caps only 46 runs short of victory, it was decided to take Williamson out of the game.
New Zealand comfortably wrapped up their third win with 43 balls to spare.
Williamson had put on a second-wicket stand of 80 with opener Devon Conway (45) and then 108 with Daryl Mitchell who raced to his 50 off 43 balls.
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Mitchell did it in some style with a giant heave for six off Bangladesh seamer Shoriful Islam.
Mitchell finished undefeated on 89 off just 67 deliveries, with six fours and four sixes under his belt.
New Zealand, runners-up at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, had already defeated defending champions England as well as outsiders Netherlands in India.
Earlier, Mushfiqur Rahim hit a fine half-century to lead Bangladesh to 245-9 while veteran Black Caps fast bowler Trent Boult claimed a 200th one-day international wicket.
Mushfiqur made 66 off 75 balls with six fours and two sixes, taking his number of fifties in the format to 48 having also hit a half-century against England three days ago.
The 36-year-old, playing in his 259th ODI, shared a crucial 96-run fourth-wicket partnership with skipper Shakib Al Hasan (40) to help their team recover from 56-4.
Mushfiqur was eventually clean-bowled by Matt Henry as he attempted to pick up the scoring rate after Shakib had perished, caught by wicketkeeper Tom Latham off Lockie Ferguson after top-edging an attempted pull shot.
Shakib ended his innings suffering from cramps in the sweltering heat and batting without a helmet or cap against the spinners.
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Mushfiqur’s brother-in-law Mahmudullah, batting at number eight, added a valuable undefeated 41.
Boult, meanwhile, became the sixth New Zealand player to take 200 ODI wickets.
The 34-year-old reached the personal landmark when he dismissed Towhid Hridoy, caught at extra cover by Mitchell Santner for 13, in the 38th over.
Playing in his 107th ODI, Boult also dismissed opener Liton Das off the first ball of the match.
Liton was celebrating his 29th birthday but any hopes of a big score to mark the occasion were shattered when he shuffled down the wicket to confront Boult only to sky the ball to a grateful Henry who pocketed the chance at fine
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