Colin Munro became the third New Zealand player to score a Twenty20 international century as he made 101 from 54 balls to lead the hosts to a 47-run win over Bangladesh yesterday and to a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
South Africa-born Munro followed Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill to the milestone as he took his maiden century from 52 balls, guiding New Zealand to 195-7 after being sent in to bat at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
Bangladesh were all out for 148 in reply, briefly threatening New Zealand’s total, before faltering and losing their last wicket in the 19th over.
Photo: AFP
Munro was supported in a 123-run partnership for New Zealand’s fourth wicket by Tom Bruce, who made an unbeaten 59, a maiden half-century in only his second Twenty20 international.
The pair steered New Zealand out of trouble after they lost stand-in opener Luke Ronchi to the first ball of the match and slumped to 46-3 in the sixth over.
“Colin’s knock... anytime you get a performance like that in Twenty20 cricket it’s very special,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said. “We know he’s a stroke-maker, so when he hits with that freedom we’ve seen what he can do and hopefully it continues. It was a match-winning knock and also Tom Bruce in his second match made a great contribution.”
Munro, who came to the crease with the match only one ball old, took on the bowlers from the outset, propelling New Zealand along at 10 runs per over through the first four overs.
He hit seven sixes and seven fours in an innings which set up a victory that extended New Zealand’s perfect record against Bangladesh this summer, having won all three one-day internationals and also the first Twenty20.
Munro was especially severe on Mahmdullah in the 13th over from which he plundered 28 runs — three sixes, two fours and a two.
“The way Munro took all those chances and the way he batted was really good, but after losing three wickets we couldn’t put enough pressure on them,” Bangladesh captain Masrafe Mortaza said.
“At some stages we were very close. From 48 balls we needed 78 or 80 runs with six wickets in hand, so we could have done a lot better,” he said.
Brazil has four teams, more than any other country, in the expanded Club World Cup that kicked off yesterday in the US, but for SE Palmeiras, the competition holds a special meaning: winning it would provide some redemption. Under coach Abel Ferreira since 2020, Palmeiras lifted two Copa Libertadores titles, plus Brazilian league, cup and state championships. Even before Ferreira, it boasted another South American crown and 11 league titles. The only major trophy missing is a world champions’ title. Other Brazilian clubs like Fluminense FC and Botafogo FR, also in the tournament, have never won it either, but the problem for Palmeiras
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Sergio Ramos on Tuesday outfoxed two Inter players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Ramos slipped through the penalty area for the score just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, with whom he combined smarts, timing and physicality. Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the UEFA Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament. “There is always a joy to contribute to the
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani on Monday wobbled through a 28-pitch first inning at home against the San Diego Padres in his first appearance on the mound since August 2023. Scheduled to throw as many as two innings, Ohtani went a single frame while allowing one run on two hits. He did not issue a walk nor strike out a batter. “Not quite happy with the results overall, but the takeaway for me is that I feel good enough to be able to make the next outing,” Ohtani said of his pitching performance. Ohtani still wound up with a positive impact
RSS