Thanks to a quickfire unbeaten fifty from Bevon Jacobs, New Zealand cruised to a six-wicket win over hosts Bangladesh in the rain-hit third and final T20I at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today, levelling the series 1-1.
In a match reduced to 15-over-a-side following a rain interruption, Bangladesh suffered a batting collapse to be bundled out for just 102 in 14.2 overs. Despite Shoriful Islam claiming three early wickets, the visitors were able to reach the target in 11.4 overs, winning the contest with 20 balls to spare.
Tawhid Hridoy top-scored for the Tigers with a 24-ball 33-run knock while skipper Litton Das made 26 off 17 deliveries. But no other batters could come with a sizeable contributions, as the Tigers lost way after play resumed following a rain break during their innings.
Pacer Shoriful ended with figures of three for 19 in his allotted three overs, but Bevon Jacobs' unbeaten 62 off just 31 deliveries helped the Black Caps get to the target with ease.
Bangladesh opened the series with a convincing six-wicket victory in Chattogram before the second match in the port city was washed out without a ball being bowled.
A dismal batting performance from Bangladesh saw them bundled out for just 102 runs in 14.2 overs in the rain-shortened third and final T20I at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
In a match reduced to 15 overs per side, Bangladesh struggled throughout, with only Tawhid Hridoy (33 off 24) and Litton Das (26 off 17) offering some resistance. The rest of the batting lineup failed to make an impact as New Zealand’s bowlers capitalised on the overcast conditions after electing to field first. The visitors were set a revised target of 103 under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Bangladesh had earlier taken a 1-0 lead in the series, winning the opening match by six wickets, while the second game in Chattogram was abandoned due to rain.
Among the visitors, Josh Clarkson starred with figures of 3-9 in two overs, while Nathan Smith and Ben Sears picked up two wickets apiece.
Bangladesh were 50 for three in 6.4 overs before rain interrupted play at 2:36 pm. After a lengthy delay, play resumed at 4:30 pm following an inspection.
However, the break did little to change Bangladesh’s fortunes. They lost Litton in the ninth over, and a dramatic collapse followed as Shamim Hossain, Hridoy, and Mohammad Saifuddin fell within the space of six deliveries, reducing the hosts from 86 for four to 89 for seven.
Rishad Hossain was run out for five, and the rest of the batting lineup folded quickly.
Earlier, opener Saif Hassan (16 off 11) was the first to depart, miscuing a shot off Jayden Lennox. Smith then struck twice in consecutive deliveries, removing Tanzid Tamim (6) and Parvez Hossain Emon (0), leaving Bangladesh in trouble at 35 for three after 4.4 overs.
Following a rain interruption, the series-deciding third and final T20I between Bangladesh and New Zealand resumed at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today, with the match reduced to a 15-over-a-side contest.
Under the revised conditions, the Powerplay will last 4.3 overs, with a maximum of three overs per bowler. The innings break has been set at 10 minutes.
Play had been halted with Bangladesh on 50 for three in 6.4 overs, skipper Litton Das unbeaten on 25 off 13 and Tawhid Hridoy on 2 off 5. Their partnership, however, was broken soon after resumption when Litton fell to a Josh Clarkson delivery in the ninth over.
Bangladesh had earlier slumped to 35 for three in 4.4 overs. Left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox removed Saif Hassan (16 off 11), while pacer Nathan Smith struck twice in consecutive deliveries to dismiss Tanzid Tamim (6 off 10) and Parvez Hossain Emon (0 off 1).
As predicted by the weather forecast, rain interrupted the series-deciding third and final T20I between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today, with the hosts losing three top-order wickets inside the Powerplay.
Bangladesh were 50 for three in 6.4 overs when rain halted play.
Opener Saif Hassan (16 off 11) was the first to depart, skying one to a fielder at wide mid-off while attempting to take on left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox by dancing down the track in the fourth over.
New Zealand pacer Nathan Smith then removed the other opener, Tanzid Tamim (6 off 10), and Parvez Hossain Emon (0 off 1) in back-to-back deliveries in the very next over, leaving the hosts reeling at 35 for three after 4.4 overs.
However, before the interruption, skipper Litton Das, unbeaten on 25 off 13, and Tawhid Hridoy (2 off 5 not out) were attempting to steady the innings and spark a recovery.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to field first in the series-deciding third and final T20I against Bangladesh under overcast skies at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today.
The Tigers made just one change to their XI from the previous match, bringing in Mohammad Saifuddin in place of Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Bangladesh lead the three-match series 1-0 after securing a six-wicket win in the opener, while the second T20I in Chattogram was washed out without a ball being bowled.
Rain remains a concern in Mirpur, with interruptions likely during the course of the match.
Playing XIs:
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (c & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Parvez Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Ripon Mondol, Shoriful Islam
New Zealand: Katene Clarke, Tim Robinson, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly (c), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Jayden Lennox, Ben Sears
