The opening day of the Warm-up games for the highly anticipated ODI World Cup 2023 was pretty much dominated by the batters.
Match 1: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
The first match took place between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati where Sri Lanka batted first and got off to a brilliant start, looking like they would score over 300 runs. However, they lost wickets in the middle overs, which halted their innings. They were bowled out for 263 runs in 49.1 overs. Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva scored 68 and 55 respectively while Mahedi Hasan took three wickets for Bangladesh.
Chasing the target, Bangladesh had control right from the start. Openers Tanzid Hasan and Liton Das had a fantastic 131-run partnership Liton made 61 before being dismissed, and then captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz came in at number three and scored a quick 67 to finish the match. The other opener, Tanzid, also played brilliantly, scoring 84 off 88 balls. In the end, Bangladesh comfortably won the game by seven wickets with eight overs remaining.
Match 2: South Africa vs Afghanistan
The second match of the day was scheduled between South Africa and Afghanistan was washed out due to rain without a single ball being bowled.
Match 3: New Zealand vs Pakistan
In the third match, New Zealand faced Pakistan at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Pakistan batted first and had a poor start as both their openers were dismissed cheaply. However, the experienced duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan formed a great partnership in the middle, stabilizing the innings.
Babar scored 80 before being dismissed, while Rizwan played exceptionally well and scored a brilliant hundred off just 94 balls. Rizwan was retired hurt after reaching 103 runs. Later, Saud Shakeel joined in and played brilliantly, scoring a quickfire 75 off 53 balls to help Pakistan reach a total of 345 in their 50 overs.
At the halfway stage, it seemed like Pakistan would win the match by a big margin. However, the pitch favored the batters, and New Zealand showcased their batting prowess during the chase. They had a poor start as Devon Conway was dismissed in the second over, but Rachin Ravindra, and Kane Williamson formed a brilliant century partnership. Williamson retired after scoring 54 while Rachin played some brilliant shots and ended up scoring 97 before being dismissed by Salman Agha.
Then Darryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman scored 59 and 65 respectively to propel New Zealand towards the target. In the end, a few powerful hits from Jimmy Neesham were all that was required to seal the victory for the Kiwis as they won the game by five wickets with 38 balls remaining.
ODI World Cup Warm-ups 2023: Day 1 Brief Scores
Match 1: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: 263 (Pathum Nissanka 68, Dhananjaya de Silva 55), Mehidy Hasan Miraz 3/36
Bangladesh: 264 (Tanzid Hasan 84, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 67), Lahiru Kumara 1/30
Match 2: South Africa vs Afghanistan
Match abandonded without a ball bowled (No toss).
Match 3: New Zealand vs Pakistan
Pakistan: 345-5 (Mohammad Rizwan 103, Babar Azam 80), Mitchell Santner 2/39
New Zealand: 346-5 (Rachin Ravindra 97 & Mark Chapman 65), Usama Mir 2/68