Bangladesh blow strong start against New Zealand

A rash shot by Mohammad Ashraful triggered a sensational Bangladesh collapse as they failed to bat out their 50 overs in the opening one-day cricket international against New Zealand here.

Bangladesh were all out for 201 with 21 balls remaining after a score in excess of 250 had earlier been on the cards.

Captain Ashraful and opener Tamim Iqbal had lifted Bangladesh from a tentative start, where they were 39 for two, to a positive 125 for two at the halfway mark.

But their partnership ended soon after and so to Bangladesh's hopes of a high score on a ground where 300 has become the norm in recent years.

Iqbal was first to go, out for 50 after a 97-run partnership with his skipper and the score at 136. Ashraful was out 14 runs later.

After blasting a masterful 70 off 57 balls, Ashraful mistimed a short ball from Jacob Oram and sent it straight to Peter Fulton at deep mid wicket.

Bangladesh were then 150 for four after 29 overs, and in 20 more balls they added just four runs and lost three wickets to be 154 for seven.

Mashrafe Mortaza (17) and Abdur Razzak (not out 22) added some life to the tail and ensured the tourists posted a record score for Bangladesh against New Zealand and passed the 200 mark.

For New Zealand, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram and Mark Gillespie took three wickets apiece, although Chris Martin was the pick of the bowlers conceding just 35 runs off his 10 overs.