Sports
New Zealand Series Tigers bowled out for 76 as New Zealand stay alive in T20I series
Dhaka, September 6: Just a few days after bowling New Zealand out for a mere 60 runs and subjecting the Blackcaps to its lowest ever T20I score, Bangladesh were made to taste its own medicine on Sunday as Mahmudullah Riyad and his men folded for 76 runs.
This happened while the home team was chasing 129 runs. By virtue of their 52 run win, New Zealand successfully managed to defend its third lowest total in T20I cricket.
Down 0-2 in the five-match series, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bat first at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.
The visitors didn't have the best of starts as the first wicket fell for just 16 runs in the form of Finn Allen (15).
While a 30-run partnership ensued between Rachin Ravindra (20) and Will Young (20), a double strike in the seventh over by Saifuddin left them three down for 46 runs.
The Bangladeshi bowler accounted for Young and allrounder Colin de Grandhomme (0) trapping both in front.
Latham, who played an unbeaten knock of over 60 runs in the second game, that the Blackcaps lost by four runs, departed soon for five runs. However, a 66-run partnership between Henry Nicholls and Tom Blundell, who remained unbeaten on 36 and 30 respectively, led the visitors to reach an over run-a ball score of 128 runs for the loss of five wickets.
Starting the chase, the Bangladeshi openers- Mohammed Naim and Liton Das- managed to score 23 runs in 2.5 overs before the latter departed for 15. In the very next over, the home side lost two more wickets, incluidng Shakib Al Hasan's.
Mahedi Hasan, promoted up number three, disappointed with just one, while Shakib failed to open his account.
Barring Mushfiqur Rahim (20 not out), none of the other Tigers' batsmen manged to score in excess of 10 runs as the hosts lost the match to keep New Zealand in the competition.
New Zealand's Ajaz Patel was adjudged the Man of the Match for picking up four wickets. Cole McConchie picked up three wickets and the remaining three were shared by Ravindra, Scott Kuggeleijn and Colin de Grandhomme.
