Cricket: Mahmudullah's 52 Guides Bangladesh To 141-8

NAPIER, New Zealand, Jan 3, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 03rd Jan, 2017 ) - A change of format did little to alter Bangladesh's batting fortunes with Mahmudullah's 52 the only knock of note in their 141-8 batting first in the opening Twenty20 against New Zealand in Napier on Tuesday.

The tourists went into the match looking for improvement after losing all three matches in the 50-over format last week. But, after winning the toss they again found themselves struggling to build a competitive total even when assisted by 18 wides from the New Zealand bowlers.

Mahmudullah kept out a yorker to avoid a hat trick with the first ball he faced and went on to produce his best innings on tour so far, with Mosaddek Hossain adding 20 and Sabbir Rahman 16. For New Zealand, debutant Lockie Ferguson took wickets with his first two deliveries starting with a full toss to Sabbir which was spooned to Matt Henry at mid-wicket and Soumya Sarkar nicked the next ball to Corey Anderson in the gully.

He also bowled Mahmudullah in his last over to finish with three for 32 while fellow debutant Ben Wheeler took two for 22.