The 3rd T20I match between New Zealand and Bangladesh saw the team surrender of the visitors that saw the host keep their record intact against Bangladesh. New Zealand won the rain-curtailed match comfortably after dismissing Bangladesh cheaply for 110. New Zealand looked a complete different unit in the last T20I match as they bamboozled the opposition in all the 3 facets of the game.
The match at Bay Oval between New Zealand was a historic occasion for the Asian underdogs to create history after winning the 1st T20. The second match was abandoned due to rain. Not a single Bangladeshi batter scored 20 odd runs which was quite shocking. The problem with Bangladesh over the past decade or so has been that they haven’t been consistent due to which all of their hard work goes into vain.
New Zealand wins the toss and elects to bowl at the Bay Oval
The decision to field first was on expected lines, with the pitch expected to help pacers at the start. The bowlers made early inroads, after which skipper Mitchell Santner bamboozled the Bangladeshi batters with an impeccable line and length that saw him take four scalps.
Modest totals in the New Zealand vs Bangladesh T20I Series
None of the batters crossed twenty. It was a continuous procession of Bangladesh batters who seemed to hurry to finish the match and get home early. They were dismissed for a paltry 110. Bangladesh has been unable to set up a decent total in the series batting first.
Disciplined bowling by New Zealand
The bowling combination of Southee, Milne, and Sears was well supported by the spin duo Santner and Ish Sodhi. Their task got easier due to the in-disciplined batting from Bangladesh. The three pacers contributed to the bowling efforts by taking two wickets each.
Fightback by Bangladesh bowlers
Bowlers Mehdi Hasan and Shoriful Islam made life difficult for the NZ batters by taking two wickets each after a decent start by Finn Allen, who scored 38 in 31 balls. He was not getting much support at the other end and perished in the ninth over, with New Zealand precariously placed at 49 for five.
Mitchell Santner holds the fort
The sixth-wicket partnership between Santner and middle-order batter James Neesham for 46 runs steadied the ship when rain stopped play. New Zealand won the match because they were ahead of the required total of 79, as per DLS.
History waits for another visit from Bangladesh
It seems the New Zealand vs. Bangladesh rivalry will have to wait for another tour to Kiwi land to rewrite history.