Bangladesh off to a winning start in ICC U/19 CWC

New Zealand 175 (45.3 overs, Mehrab Hossain 4-29); Bangladesh 176-7 (37.5 overs). Bangladesh won by three wickets.

Bangladesh got off to a winning start at the expense of New Zealand in Group A's first match in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup at the P.Saravanamuttu Stadium on Sunday.

But it was a far from straightforward victory for the side that is one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Mushfiqur Rahim's side bowled New Zealand out for just 175 but were then reduced to 5-2 and then 123-6 before edging home by three wickets.

It was a win built on the performance of the Bangladesh spinners with Mehrab Hossain capturing 4-29 while Mohammad Sohrawardi took 3-36.

Their combined efforts were crucial in facilitating a New Zealand collapse that saw Marc Ellison's team slip from a high point of 100-2.

Todd Astle top scored for them with 44 but the next highest contribution from the batsmen was 28 from fellow opener Martin Guptill and only two other players - captain Ellison and Roneel Hira, each with 22 - reached 20.

In conditions that assisted the bowlers all day Bangladesh's batsmen found the going no easier and with Hamish Bennett (2-39) and Tim Southee (2-48) both useful with the new ball the result was no foregone conclusion.

It took important contributions from Mohammad Shamsur Rahman (30) and captain Rahim (26) to steady the ship before an unbeaten 38 from Mehrab Hossain applied the finishing touches.

Both sides are part of Group A that also includes holders Pakistan and Uganda. Only two sides can progress to the Super League quarter-final with the tournament's final set to be contested on 19 February.