Sabbir Hossain :
Bangladesh clinched the five-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series 3-2 despite losing to the Kiwis by 27 runs in the fifth and last T20I at the flood-lit Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Friday.
Bangladesh recorded a massive seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first T20I match at the same venue on September 1.
The hosts registered a thrilling four-run win over the tourists in the second T20I game at the same venue on September 3.
The tourists posted an easy 52-run victory over the hosts in the third T20I clash at the same venue on September 5.
The Tigers notched up a six-wicket victory over the Black Caps in the fourth T20I match at the same venue on September 8.
Chasing the Kiwis’ total of 161 for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, Bangladesh were restricted to 134 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.
Bangladesh lost their early four wickets for 46 runs.
Promising Afif Hossain and experienced Mahmudullah Riyad fought back contributing together 63 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Riyad was caught at the deep cover by Finn Allen off Scott Kuggeleijn when Bangladesh’s total was 109 for the loss of five wickets.
After dismissal of Riyad, Bangladesh batsmen failed to make any remarkable partnership.
Afif remained unbeaten with 49. His 33-ball innings was laced with three sixes and two fours.
Besides, opener Mohammad Naim and Riyad contributed 23 runs each to the Bangladesh total.
Ajaz Patel and Kuggeleijn bagged two wickets each giving 21 and 23 runs respectively.
Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Cole McConchie and Jacob Duffy took one wicket each for 19, 21, 25 and 25 runs respectively.
New Zealand made a good start with openers Finn
Allen and Rachin Ravindra made together 58 runs before Ravindra ( 17) was caught at the mid-off by Mushfiqur Rahim off Shoriful Islam.
After Ravindra’s dismissal, Finn Allen could stay at the crease for a short period, as Allen was bowled out by Shoriful Islam when the Black Caps’ total was 58 for the loss of two wickets.
Allen hit a polished 41. His 24-ball innings saw three sixes and four fours.
After Allen’s removal, Will Young (6) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan off Afif Hossain when the Kiwis score was 71 for the loss of three wickets.
Third-down Colin de Grandhomme ( 9) was caught at the mid-off by Shamim Hossain bowled by Nasum Ahmed when the touring side’s total was 83 for the loss of four wickets.
After Grandhomme’s dismissal, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls repaired the damage adding together 35 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Nicholls (20) was caught behind by Nurul Hasan off Taskin Ahmed when the visitors’ score was 118 for the loss of five wickets.
Latham remained unbeaten with 50 runs. He hit two fours and two sixes in his 37-ball knock. Latham was adjudged the Man of the Match.
After Henry’s departure, Latham and Cole McConchie put on together 43 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket partnership before New Zealand’s innings came to an end.
McConchie remained unbeaten with 17.
Shoriful Islam bagged two wickets in the space of 48 runs, while Afif Hossain, Nasum Ahmed and Taskin Ahmed took one wicket each for 18, 25 and 34 runs respectively.
Nasum Ahmed was adjudged the Player of the Series for his consistent performance.
