New Zealand kept the five-match series alive as they defeated Bangladesh by 52 runs in the third Twenty20 International at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
After scoring 128-5, New Zealand bundled out Bangladesh for only 76 runs which is their joint second lowest-ever total in T20.
Bangladesh have already won the first two matches of the series and a win in the third match of the series could make it a dead rubber, but the Blackcaps have bounced back in a crucial moment to keep their share of hope alive.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, New Zealand managed to score 128-5 after 20 overs on a surface where they were bowled out just for 60 runs in the first match of the series.
Finn Allen, after recovering from Covid-19 infection played his first match of the tour where he scored 15 runs with three boundaries.
At the half-way, New Zealand were struggling after Tom Latham departed for only five runs but resilient Henry Nicholls (36*) and Tom Blundell (30*) took them to a challenging total on a surface where batsmen struggle to score run.
Chasing 125, Bangladesh lost Liton Das first as he was judged leg before wicket against Cole McConchie’s while trying an aerial sweep and missing the ball.
Shak Mahedi Hasan was sent as one-down batsmen who could not survive long enough and become first victim of Ajaj Patel by giving a low catch to midwicket fielder.
It was a bad day at office for Shakib Al Hasan, who was waiting to celebrate another milestone but he was left wicketless by the kiwis and went out for a duck while attempting a big shot against Ajaj and ended up giving a catch to McConchie at long-on.
All the hopes were then bestowed upon skipper Mahmudullah and his brother-in-law Mushfiqur Rahim as the duo saved Bangladesh from such situations countless times but Sunday was not their day.
Mahmudullah became the third victim of Ajaj, who later also removed Afif Hossain in the very next ball which kept Bangladesh trembling.
The left-arm spinner took four wickets for 16 runs which is his career best bowling.
Mushfiq was trying to salvage by keeping one end occupied but wickets keep falling on the other end and Bangladesh become all-out for 76 runs in 19.4 overs.
Nurul Hasan and Saif Uddin, both have some proven batting skills but they failed to respond as the asking rate was going up and finally Bangladesh succumbed to defeat.
