Will Young Archives

Will Young hits century as New Zealand edge Bangladesh in first ODI

DUNEDIN: Opener Will Young cracked a rapid century as New Zealand recovered from a dreadful start to beat Bangladesh by 44 runs on Sunday in the rain-affected first ODI match.

The match was shortened to 30 overs each after three rain delays to New Zealand’s innings in Dunedin.

The home side burst into life in the final stages to post an imposing 239-7.

Needing an adjusted target of 245 to win the first ODI of the three-match series, Bangladesh were restricted to 200-9 in a chase that lost momentum.

New Zealand bounced back after losing two wickets in the game’s opening over when Bangladesh seamer Shoriful Islam had Rachin Ravindra and Henry Nicholls both caught without scoring.

A brilliant 171-run stand for the third wicket between Young, who hit 105 off 84 balls, and captain Tom Latham, who finished with 92 runs, handed the advantage back to the hosts in a match played in overcast conditions throughout.

Their stand straddled two stoppages, which reduced the innings from 46 overs to 40 and then to 30.

The pair hit out in brutal fashion over the last 10.4 overs, when the hosts chalked up a remarkable 131 runs.

Latham fell short of his eighth ODI century, bowled by off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, but Young forged on to reach three figures for the third time in the 50-over format before being run out in the final over.

Young said his first priority was to steady the innings after its disastrous start.

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“Tommy and I set up a nice partnership although it was on and off with the rain,” Young said.

“We came back on with 10 overs to go and we thought why not have a crack? And it came off today. It was nice to get a few out of the middle at the end and it’s the icing on the cake to finish with a win.”

Shoriful was comfortably Bangladesh’s best bowler, taking 2-28 off six overs.

The chase began brightly, with opener Anamul Haque reaching 43, supported by Towhid Hridoy (33) and Liton Das (22), who all scored at better than a run a ball.

However, the pursuit tailed off when Afif Hossain fell for a hard-hit 38 in the 24th over, with his team still needing 80 runs.

Visiting captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said the result was “very disappointing” after Islam’s early fireworks.

“If we’d taken a third wicket, it could have been a different ball game,” said Shanto, before singling out the expensive spin bowling of Mehidy and Afif as a weak point.

“I think our fast bowlers bowled really well but our spinners need to learn quickly before the next match.”

New Zealand’s best bowling figures of 2-24 were recorded by allrounder Josh Clarkson, who made his debut along with seamer William O’Rourke.

The remaining games are in Nelson and Napier next week as Bangladesh seek their first ODI win over the Black Caps on New Zealand soil after 17 defeats.

READ: Phil Salt, Harry Brook help England stun West Indies to keep series alive

Game is never over when Iftikhar is at the crease: Will Young

KARACHI: New Zealand opener Will Young heaped praises on hard-hitting Pakistan batter Iftikhar Ahmed for his courageous knocks against the Blackcaps during the recently concluded white-ball series between the two sides.

Pakistan’s lone warrior in the final ODI on Sunday, Iftikhar, smashed an unbeaten 94 from 72 balls to keep the opposition on their toes despite the top-order collapse. His heroic knock eventually went in vain as Pakistan were all-out for 252 while chasing 300.

Earlier in the T20I series, he also played a similar knock when he thrashed a blistering 60 in just 24 balls in the third game in Lahore but could not sail his side to the finish line.

The grit shown by Iftikhar did not go unnoticed as the Kiwi player Young spoke highly of his knock, claiming he was distressed after dropping the former on 60.

“He is an amazing player. I can recall a couple of knocks when he almost won the game singlehandedly” said Young in the post-match press conference.

“I think the game is never over when Ifitkhar is at the crease. And when I dropped him on 60 at point, my heart was pumping”

Young, who starred with a brilliant 87-run knock, said he was happy with the team’s victory and the way he played in the final ODI.

“We were able to take wickets today which we were not able to do in the previous game and managed to put pressure on the opposition,” he added

Commenting on the importance of the Pakistan tour before the World Cup – scheduled later this year in India – he said, “Playing in the subcontinent condition will help us a lot preparing for the mega event”.

Furthermore, the right-hander also hailed the local crowd for their support and lauded Pakistan for its great hospitality.

“They were obviously home fans but they were nice and friendly to us as well. And the way we were treated in hotel rooms at various hotels was outstanding,” he said.

“Hospitality was great,” he remarked.

New Zealand concluded their second tour of Pakistan this year on Sunday with a consolation 47-run win in the final ODI at National Bank Cricket Cricket to avoid the 5-0 series whitewash.

The tour commenced on April 24 with a five-game T20I series in Lahore and Rawalpindi. Despite falling behind 2-0 after the first two games, the visitors managed to tie the series at 2-2.

READ: No fissure in the team, claims Babar after Imam’s cryptic tweet

Latham, Conway shine as New Zealand finish first day on a high

CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand’s top-order batters scored big against Bangladesh; helping the side to finish the first day of the second Test at an astonishing 349/1, here on Sunday.

Kiwi batter Tom Latham eyeing a double-ton, while Devon Conway remained not-out for his 99 at the stumps on day one.

At the toss, Bangladesh’s captain Mominul Haque elected to bowl first after the coin flipped in his favour.

In response, the host openers Latham and Will Young provided a magnificent start to the side, The duo scored half-centuries; recording a mammoth 148-runs opening partnership. Young, however, fell short soon after reaching his half-century. He managed to score 54 off 114 deliveries, including five boundaries.

Following Young’s dismissal, Conway then joined Latham and the pair proved out to be handier. The duo put on a terrific 201-runs partnership before stumps were called.

Latham finished the first day of the second Test at his individual score of 186* off 278 balls; smashing 28 boundaries. Young, on the other hand, will resume his inning at 99 not-out. He faced 148 balls and smashed 11 boundaries including a maximum.

For Bangladesh, only Shoriful Islam managed to make one scalp on the opening day.

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