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The learning process for the Bangladesh cricket team continuous. They tried to play too fast against Australia and got licked, and then against New Zealand they didnt put their feet off the brakes and played too slow to accomplish anything serious. Though the steep learning curve is making Bangali tigers serious future competitors, it is sucking the entertainment out of the already low-attendance world cup in the Caribbean.

At Antigua, On April the second, New Zealand chose to field first after winning the toss. Bangladeshi batsmen while getting caught in two conflicting mind sets choked spectacularly against a fine bowling spell by Kiwis. Though Bangladesh had defeated the Kiwis in the warm-up match, their morale after getting demolished by Australia was bottom low. Javed Omar(22) and Tamim Iqbal(29), in stark contrast to their natural instincts, played it very cautiously and with utmost care. Aftab Ahmed (27) and  Saqibul Hasan (22) also followed the suit.

Bangladesh proceeded at snail’s pace, and after 15.4 overs, they had just 50 runs on the board without any loss of wood and after 33.3 overs, they were 122 for 4. Immaculately fine Black Caps bowling mingled with scared batting by tigers resulted in just 174 runs for Bangladesh in 48.3 overs. Mohammad Rafique got a blistering 30 runs with 2 sparkling sixes. Rest was dusted disdainfuly by New Zealanders in no time. James Franklin and Michael Mason withdrew from the match due to medical problems, but that didnt stop Kiwis to crush their lesser opponents. Scott Styris was the pick of the bowlers and took 4 wickets.

Though 175 wasn’t any sort of formidable target for the sound New Zealand bowling, but they approach it with the traditional meticulous beauty. They stuck to the basics and capitalize on their solid and flourishing batting. Mr. Dependable Stephen Fleming led from the front and became the centurion and sealed the victory for his team. With the strike rate of almost 111, he made a whopping 102 runs on just 92 balls. His gem of an innings contained 3 mega sixes and 10 fantastic fours. Though Fulton departed just after making 15 runs due to Syed Rasel, Marshall took the onus and delivered 50 runs on 54 balls. New Zealand achieved their target easily and comprehensively while plethora of overs was remaining.