Stephen Fleming’s century followed another strong showing from the BLACKCAPS medium pacers to complete a nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Antigua.
Fleming made an unbeaten 102 to hunt down a target of 175, after Scott Styris claimed four wickets and Jacob Oram three at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
Shane Bond (2/15) and Daniel Vettori (0/34) supplemented the attack with fine figures as the New Zealanders claimed all 10 wickets with nine balls to spare.
Fleming then put on a century stand with Hamish Marshall, who completed his half-century with a six over mid-wicket, to wrap up victory within 30 overs.
A repeat of the warm-up defeat in Barbados was never on the cards as the New Zealanders showed their credentials as potential semi-finalists.
In contrast, Bangladesh’s top-flight inexperience was exposed as their winless streak in the Super Eight stage continued after their shock progress from the first round.
Fleming, who celebrated his 34th birthday at the weekend, won the toss and elected to field.
Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal (29) and Javed Omar (22) initially thrived, making 55 for the first wicket before Oram and Brendon McCullum combined to remove both top-order batsmen.
McCullum stumped Iqbal to effect his 10th dismissal of the tournament, before catching a nick from an attempted cut by Omar.
Bond and Styris then took over, and although Aftab Ahmed (27) and Saqibal Hassan (25) made starts, sharp fielding, combined with penetrative bowling, sparked a decline.
Bangladesh added only 69 runs for eight wickets in their last 20 overs at the crease, with only tail-ender Mohammad Rafique reaching double figures among the lower order with an unbeaten 30.
Kiwi openers Fleming and Peter Fulton made good progress, well above the required 3.6 runs-per-over, before the latter's dismissal off Syed Rasal for 15.
But Marshall showed an intent for an early conclusion, striking on after bedding in to make his 50 from 54 balls.
Michael Mason’s early removal from the attack with a calf injury will prove a concern, but the State Central Stags seamer has seven days to recover ahead of the next match, against Ireland in Guyana.
A victory in that game will give the BLACKCAPS eight points from the Super Eight Series ahead of games against world champions Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
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