Shoriful’s spell offers blueprint as NZ crack Mirpur code, says Smith

New Zealand all-rounder Nathan Smith has revealed that the visitors closely studied the early spell of Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam to fine-tune their batting approach in the opening ODI at Mirpur on Friday.

The Black Caps edged the hosts by 26 runs to go 1-0 up in the three-match series, with Smith pointing to Shoriful’s opening burst as a key reference point for how his side adapted to the conditions at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Speaking ahead of the Monday’s second ODI, Smith said the communication from the middle helped New Zealand quickly decode the nature of the Mirpur surface.

“It all comes from the communication from the batters in the first innings. We were getting relayed back the comms around the wicket, and we could see from side-on as well,” Smith told reporters on Sunday.

“I think Shoriful’s first ball went low and nearly bowled Nicholls. So we could sort of see that the lengths that Shoriful bowled were the lengths that we were trying to hit. We just tried to do that for as long as possible, keep the stumps in play.”

Shoriful had impressed early with a probing spell that accounted for two wickets while conceding just 27 runs in his 10 overs, extracting variable bounce that kept the New Zealand batters alert throughout the innings.

Smith acknowledged that adjusting to the surface--where the ball behaved unpredictably--was crucial to the visitors’ eventual success.

“There was a little bit of variable bounce throughout and then as you saw later on with Tickner bowling a few more slower balls that sort of died in the wicket,” he said.

“So, it was just about relaying the comms to the bowlers and we managed to keep the stumps in play for long periods of time and had some success.”

With several senior names missing from their full-strength squad, Smith also underlined the value of the tour for developing squad depth, especially in challenging subcontinental conditions.

“Yeah, it’d be huge. I think Bangladesh have rolled out a really strong side and in New Zealand we pride ourselves on adapting to conditions,” said Smith.

“We have really strong depth at the moment in New Zealand cricket. So to bring a side over of guys who aren’t in the side when we’re full strength, to get them exposed to these conditions and for them to have those experiences and do well and have success really builds the depth and gives guys a lot of confidence moving forward.”

He added that the performance in the series opener reflected the team’s growing adaptability.

“To come over here and put Bangladesh under pressure like we did the other night was really pleasing. So yeah, it’d be huge for us if we can win this series,” he said.

New Zealand will now look to clinch the series in the second ODI, while Bangladesh aim to bounce back and level things on home turf in Mirpur.