New Zealand clinched the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh after winning the second match by seven wickets on Wednesday (December 20) at the Saxton Oval in Nelson.

Soumya Sarkar played an incredible knock of 169 runs off 151 balls with 22 fours and two sixes for the Tigers. However, his efforts went in vain as the Black Caps chased down the target of 292 with 22 balls to spare.

Sarkar broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of the highest individual score in ODIs by a subcontinent batter in New Zealand. He also scored the highest by a Bangladeshi batter away from home in ODIs.

New Zealand are now 2-0 up in the three-match ODI series as the Tigers also conceded a 44-run defeat in the opener last Sunday in Dunedin.

In today's match, Bangladesh set a 292-run target for the hosts with the help of Mushfiqur Rahim's 45 off 57 apart from Soumya's magnificent score. 

While chasing the target, Will Young and Rachin Ravindra scored 76 runs for the opening wicket off 11 overs. Young, who made a match-winning hundred in the first game at the University Oval in Dunedin, carried on from where he left off.

He scored 89 runs off 94 balls with eight fours and two sixes before giving a caught and bowled to Hasan Mahmud.

Henry Nicholls failed to open his account in Dunedin, but made amends in Nelson by scoring 95 runs off 99 balls with eight fours and a six. Young and Nicholls put on 128 runs for the second wicket.

Tom Latham, who got out in the 90s in Dunedin, and Tom Blundell stayed not out on 34 and 24 respectively to take the Kiwis past the finish line.

The third and final ODI is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 23 at McLean Park in Napier.

BDST: 1245 HRS, DEC 20, 2023 
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