Watch: Daryl Mitchell smashed his first ball he faced, from Shakib Al Hasan, for six in New Zealand’s World Cup match against Bangladesh on October 13. In the process, he almost picked out Mahmudullah on the boundary, who nearly injured himself attempting to take the catch.
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The New Zealand batters had struggled to get the hammer down in the chase, with their run rate at 5.13 off their first 20 overs. Bangladesh had set them 246 to win after they were reduced to 56-4 batting first.
Shakib Al Hasan brought himself into the attack for the 21st over and struck immediately. He dismissed the in-form Devon Conway for 45 in 59 balls to bring Daryl Mitchell to the crease. Mitchell scored 48 in New Zealand’s last match against the Netherlands, and averages 45.25 in ODIs this year.
He didn’t waste any time before getting going, and charged down to Shakib’s first ball. He sliced it high in the air over cover and, for a while, looked not to have got anywhere near enough on the shot. Mahmudullah pedalled backwards towards the boundary rope to try and take the catch but in vain.
He dove backwards over the rope and got both hands to the ball above his head. However, with the momentum and direction his body was going in, the best he could hope for would have been to tap the ball back onto the field and save the boundary. As it was, the ball burst through Mahmudullah’s hands and he fell back over the cushion.
He landed on his back before hitting the back of his head on the grass. There was some concern as he stayed on the surface with his hand on his head, but he quickly got up and was able to resume fielding. Shakib conceded another six in his next over, to Kane Williamson this time.
Watch: Daryl Mitchell hits first ball for six
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