WELLINGTON (Reuters):

OPENER JAMIE How guided New Zealand to a comfortable six-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first match of their one-day international series in Auckland yesterday.

How, who scored 90 on New Zealand's recent tour of South Africa, was closing in on his maiden one-day international century but was caught by Aftab Ahmed off the bowling of Shakib Al Hasan for 88.

New Zealand eventually cruised to the target, finishing on 203 for four, after dismissing the visitors for a disappointing 201. Scott Styris was on 25 not out and Mathew Sinclair on one with 7.2 overs remaining.

Suffered slump

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful had top scored for the visitors with a dashing 70 off 57 balls, though their target was disappointing after they suffered a slump that saw them lose four wickets for four runs in 20 balls.

New Zealand never seemed in danger of not achieving victory, with How combining with Brendon McCullum (40) and Peter Fulton (35) in useful partnerships before he was dismissed with the score on 173 for three, the win all but achieved.

All-rounder Styris thumped a six over long on to end the game in the 43rd over.

Al Hasan took three for 56 for Bangladesh.

Earlier, Ashraful and opener Tamim Iqbal (50) combined in a 97-run partnership, and seemed destined for a big total with Ashraful in full counter attack mode.

Show of defiant contempt

He smashed Kyle Mills for two boundaries in his first full over at the crease then hit two more and a six off Mark Gillespie in the next over in a show of defiant contempt.

Iqbal also grew in confidence and proceeded to hit two sixes and four boundaries before he was caught at deep backward point off Oram to leave the visitors well placed at 136 for three in the 27th over.

However, Bangladesh lost their way after that partnership, and their total of 201 could have been worse had Abdur Razzak (22 not out) not produced some lusty blows at the end.

Mills (3-46), Gillespie (3-27) and Jacob Oram (3-36) shared the wickets for New Zealand.