Cricket World Cup 2019: Blackcaps stagger to victory over plucky Bangladesh

New Zealand have built on their solid start to the Cricket World Cup, but had to work hard for their second win over a courageous Bangladesh side.

The Blackcaps appeared to be cruising to victory, after restricting their opponents to just 244 runs, and with senior batsmen Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor building the NZ innings steadily at 160/2.

But when Williamson (40) and Tom Latham (0) fell in the same over, the Kiwis began to wobble. 

Taylor followed 31 runs later, with his team still needing 54 runs for victory, then Colin de Grandhomme and Jimmy Neesham both fell at 218, leaving the tail exposed.

But all-rounder Mitch Santner steadied the ship and found an ally in Lockie Ferguson to steer the Blackcaps home with two wickets and almost three overs to spare.

"There were a few soft dismissals that we'd want to address, but at the same time, it was a great experience to have," said Williamson afterwards.

"In tournament cricket, these things can happen, games go down to the wire and momentum changes quite quickly. We saw that again tonight."

The result leaves New Zealand at the top of the World Cup standings - the only side with two wins from two games.

Bowling in place of the injured Tim Southee, Matt Henry continued to take his chances and emerged as the best with the ball, capturing 4/47, but Trent Boult (2/44), Ferguson and Santner kept the brakes on their rivals, never allowing them to build a substantial total.

De Grandhomme continued his habit of removing the opposition's best player, having top all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan caught behind by wicketkeeper Latham for 64, his team's leading scorer.

Mohammad Saifuddin finished with a flourish, striking 29 runs off 23 balls, but Bangladesh failed to bat out their 50 overs, dismissed in the final over.

"I thought all the guys adopted the role," said Williamson. "We were expecting a bit more pace out of the surface, it was definitely on the slower side.

"Guys adjusted and looked to squeeze really well, which was important to build the pressure."

Opener Martin Guptill got the NZ innings off to a rollicking start, scoring 25 runs off 14 balls, before Shakib had him caught by Tamim Iqbal. Colin Munro took a more conservative approach for his 24, but when he departed, Williamson and Taylor set about their business.

The old firm put on 105 runs for the third wicket, before Williamson was caught by Mosaddek Hossain, off Mehidy Hasan's bowling.

The skipper was lucky to survive a run-out chance on eight, when Taylor sent him for a sharp single and he was well short of his ground when the throw came in, but keeper Mushfiqur Rahim had broken the stumps before catching the ball.

Taylor hung around a little longer to get the Blackcaps within reach of the total, but was enticed into a little tickle down legside by Mosaddek, snaffled by Mushfiqur.

De Grandhomme, Neesham and Henry all fell before, Santner and Ferguson finally got their team over the line.

"I thought the first innings was outstanding," reflected Williamson. "The fielding from both teams was brilliant throughout.

"We still knew that 250 on that surface could potentially be quite challenging, we just needed to keep wickets in hand.

"It wasn't our most clinical effort with the bat, but it was nice to get across the line all the same."

New Zealand now face outsiders Afghanistan on Sunday morning, before taking on India - one of the tournament favourites - next Thursday.

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