[Watch] Nurul Hasan's Flying Catch Sends Finn Allen Packing During BAN vs NZ 1st ODI
Nurul Hasan [X.com]
Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladesh pacer, was on fire in the ODI series opener against New Zealand on Thursday (September 21). He snatched two early wickets, sending New Zealand a shockwave as they batted first.
The left-arm pacer showed no mercy, dismissing the New Zealand opener Finn Allen for just nine runs. However it was Nurul Hasan, the wicketkeeper, who stole the show with a jaw-dropping catch off Mustafizur's delivery.
It all happened in the 6.1 overs of New Zealand's innings. Mustafizur Rahman, bowling from over the stumps, delivered a perfectly pitched ball around the leg stump.
Allen, frozen in position without footwork, endeavoured to nudge the ball across but managed only a thick outside edge, which saw Hasan stretching to his right, and plucking a sensational catch.
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Shortly after that, Mustafizur Rahman was back with a vengeance in his next over, dismissing Chad Bowes for a mere one run. This time, the left-arm pacer pitched the ball wide outside the off stump, and it just kept drifting away from Bowes, who committed the same blunder as Allen – he didn't budge an inch and tried a wild swing, and eventually ended up serving a thick edge on a platter to wicketkeeper Hasan, who gobbled it up without breaking a sweat.
Bangladesh finds themselves without their regular skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, with Litton Das taking the reins in his absence. After a challenging run in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023, the team is eager to make a comeback in this three-match series, which serves as an ideal dress rehearsal for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023.
On the other hand, New Zealand is also missing some of their marquee players, including Kane Williamson and Tim Southee. They have put forward their secondary squad, led by the fast bowler Lockie Ferguson. It will be captivating to see how they rise to the occasion against Bangladesh, who excel in ODIs on their home soil.
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