Bangladesh went 2-0 up in their five-match twenty20 international series against New Zealand after winning a nailbiting clash by four runs defying a valiant effort from Blackcaps skipper Tom Latham.
Chasing 142, Latham singlehandedly took New Zealand close but could not bring the Blackcaps level as Bangladesh bowlers restricted them to 137-5.
Winning the toss, Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah Riyad opted to bat first, and with a 59-run stand, openers Liton Das and Naim Sheikh brought the Tigers a steady start.
But with Liton and Mushfiqur Rahim lost on consecutive deliveries and Shakib following them after a short cameo, Bangladesh seemed to have lost their way.
A brief 34-run stand between Naim and Mahmudullah brought Bangladesh back before Naim was eventually gone for 39.
Mahmudullah scored 37 off 32 deliveries to take Bangladesh to 141-6, with some help from Nurul Hasan Sohan, who scored 13 off nine deliveries.
Rachin Ravindra was New Zealand’s most successful bowler with three wickets for 22.
In reply, Blackcaps lost both their openers early again but a 43-run stand between Will Young and Latham brought them back into contention.
Shakib came back to dismiss Young for 22, and Nasum Ahmed sent Colin de Grandhomme back before Shak Mahedi Hasan picked up Henry Nicholls’ wicket.
But Latham kept the visitors in the chase and managed to bring it down to 20 off the last over. After considering only seven from the first four deliveries, Mustafizur Rahman bowled a beamer that Latham edged for four, leaving eight runs for the last two balls.
But Mustafiz managed to hold his nerve as he gave away only three runs in the remaining deliveries to hand Bangladesh a 2-0 lead. Latham stayed unbeaten on 65.
