New Zealand take series after rain-curtailed encounter

SCORECARD

New Zealand got off to a flying start courtesy Finn Allen and Martin Guptill after being asked to bat by Bangladesh. The Kiwi pair smashed 36 runs before the end of the fourth over putting the hosts in position for a big score. However, Allen’s stint at the crease soon came to an end after he skied a ball off Taskin Ahmed, which was comfortably caught by Mohammad Naim.

Shortly after, Taskin produced a stunner in the field, taking a one-handed catch at short fine leg dismissing Guptill. The next over, Shoriful Islam took the key wicket of Devon Conway having him caught by Mithun at deep mid-wicket.

At the end of the Powerplay, New Zealand were at 55/3 with Glenn Phillips and Will Young at the crease. They collaborated for a 39-run partnership before Young was deceived by Mahedi Hasan and stumped by Liton Das.

New Zealand were 102/4 runs in 12.2 overs before rain stopped play for the first time. They then shortly resumed with no overs lost. Mark Chapman became Mahedi’s second victim after he was caught and bowled in the 13th over.

Daryl Mitchell then added 62 runs for the sixth wicket along with Phillips, in the course of which the latter brought up his fifty. Mitchell too made a quick-fire 34 off 16 balls.

The Blackcaps were on an absolute roll when the rain decided to play spoilsport once again. They had to leave the field on 173/5 in 17.5 overs. The match officials eventually decided to end New Zealand's innings after the rain persisted for some time.

The second innings was reduced to 16 overs with Bangladesh having to chase 171.

Hamish Bennett drew first blood removing Liton Das in the second over of the innings. But, Soumya Sarkar persisted. The dashing batsman played the role of the aggressor in the partnership with Mohammad Naim. He punished Ish Sodhi with a boundary and back-to-back sixes in the fifth over and continued his onslaught in Adam Milne’s over, hitting two fours and a six.

Naim played a perfect supporting role as the duo combined for a partnership of 81 runs. Sarkar was dismissed by Southee shortly after he completed his half-century. Phillips contributed with the ball as well, taking the wicket of well-set Naim.

From there, the wickets came tumbling down for Bangladesh; Milne struck twice dismissing Mahmudullah and Afif Hossain in quick succession. Tim Southee and Benett added to Bangladesh’s misery, picking up the wickets of Mohammad Mithun and Mohammad Saifuddin.

New Zealand restricted Bangladesh to 142/7, winning the match by 28 runs and clinching the series 2-0.

The final game of the series will be played in Auckland on Thursday, 1 April.