Guptill ton seals series for New Zealand

New Zealand`s Martin Guptill plays a shot during the second one-day international cricket match between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 16 February 2019. Photo: AFP
New Zealand`s Martin Guptill plays a shot during the second one-day international cricket match between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 16 February 2019. Photo: AFP

Opener Martin Guptill's second consecutive century helped New Zealand beat Bangladesh by eight wickets for the second game in a row, as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game ODI series.

Set an easy target of 227, Man-of-the-Match Guptill chose to go firing, making 118 in just 88 balls with the help of 14 fours and 4 sixes.

After Mustafizur Rahman removed Henry Nicholls with the team score on 45, Guptill and captain Kane Williamson added 143 runs in the second wicket to take control of the game.

The latter's 65 runs came in 86 balls and after Mustafiz made Guptill his second scalp of the day, also a catch taken by Liton Das, the Kiwi skipper and Ross Taylor (20) saw the game.

Bangladesh were asked to bat first, but once again the openers failed in this series, both unable to reach double digit.

Mohammad Mithun hit a fifty in the second game running to once again save the team from a big embarrassment.

Mithun and Sabbir Rahman added 75 in the sixth wicket to ensure that the team post at least a 200 plus score.

Mithun's 57-run 69-ball innings featured seven fours and a six while Sabbir added 43 off 65 also courtesy of seven fours.

Mushfiqur Rahim's 24 and Soumya Sarkar's 22 were the other major contributions.

Lockie Ferguson claimed three wickets while Todd Astle and James Neesham each grabbed a brace for the hosts.