Online Desk: New Zealand posted their highest total at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday when they were bundled out for 254 after opting to bat first against Bangladesh in the second ODI of the three-match series between the two teams. 

Batter Tom Blundell scored a 66-ball 68 as he hit six four and a six while putting on a 95-run stand with Henry Nicholls, who scored 61-ball 49 that rescued the visitors from a precarious situation that saw them get reduced to three down for 36 inside the Powerplay.

Valubale contributions from the lower-middle-order as well as the tail ensured New Zealand got to a competitive total. Ish Sodhi played a responsible 38-ball 35, his best ODI score, after he was subject to a mankad by Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud. But skipper Liton Das decided to call back the right-handed batter chossing not to claim the wicket in that manner.

For Bangladesh, off-spinner Sheikh Mahedi Hasan picked up three wickets for 45 runs, while Khaled Ahmed marked his debut with as many scalps after Mustafizur Rahman picked up two wickets in the Powerplay to give Bangladesh a solid start.