Bangladesh struggled before the rain in a low-scoring match. But that was not enough to win. Especially after the partnership of Neesham and Santner in the sixth wicket. In the end, the Tigers failed to make their record match memorable.
Bangladesh ended the year with a loss. The three-match series ended with a 1-1 draw. The second T20 match was abandoned due to rain.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 110 runs in the third match at New Zealand’s Mount Manganui on Sunday (December 31) due to the failure of the batsmen to bat first. In reply, New Zealand scored 95 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 14.4 overs. The Kiwis won by 17 runs in the rain.
New Zealand also could not take advantage of the modest target given by Bangladesh. They lost 5 wickets to get 50 runs on the scoreboard. Sheikh Mehdi started it. Mehdi took the first two wickets. After that, Shariful also took a couple of wickets with worthy help.
But when Neesham and Santner came in the sixth wicket and formed a strong pair, Bangladesh’s dream of victory began to fade. Before the rain, these two made a pair of 46 runs. After that, it rained heavily. In the end, Neesham remained unbeaten on 28 and Santner on 18 runs. Mehdi and Shariful took 2 wickets each for Bangladesh.
Earlier, after losing the toss and batting, Soumya Sarkar became the victim of Team Southee after scoring 4 runs on the scoreboard. The Kiwi pacer’s ball deflected and fell into the leg before trap, Soumya could not survive despite taking a review against the umpire’s request.
Skipper Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who went down in one down, also started with four hits. Bangladesh showed some fight in the game by hitting two consecutive boundaries in Adam Milne’s over. But while reducing the pressure, he calmed down. Whatever happens, Milne is caught by Pointe trying to hit a boundary. He scored 17 runs off 15 balls.
In the next over, Ronnie was dismissed by Sears. He went lbw to a yorker by the Kiwi pacer. His departure was just 10 runs (10 balls). After the pace ball, Kiwi captain Mitchell Santner started to flash the spin. Afif and Hridiya were not able to facilitate, Ish Sodhi again joined there. By this, the Tigers are in more trouble.
In the end, Bangladesh managed to score 110 runs before getting all out with 4 balls left in the innings. Santner took 4 wickets and Southee, Milne and Sears took 2 wickets each.
