Bangladesh defeated New Zealand in the second of five-match T20 series by 4 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Friday. The Tigers now lead the series 2-0.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended her heartiest congratulations to the national cricket team for winning second consecutive T20 match against the visiting New Zealand by four runs taking 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
In a felicitation message, the cricket-lover prime minister greeted all the players, coach and officials of the national cricket team as well as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials for beating New Zealand.
Sheikh Hasina expressed the hope that the winning spree of the Bangladesh cricket team would continue in future.
It was an enthralling encounter in Mirpur as the match went right down to the wire. Defending a decent 141, Bangladesh survived Kiwi skipper Tom Latham’s scare as Mustafizur Rahman blew hold and cold in the last over, with 19 to defend, the above-waist no-ball made the equation 8 runs from 2 balls but Mustafizur kept his cool and done the job for Bangladesh.
Chasing 142, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham notched up his maiden T20I half-century and took the game down to the wire but hardly got any support from the other end. Latham played a brilliant 49-ball 65 with 6 boundaries and 1 maximum. Chasing a tricky total, the visitors lost both the openers cheaply inside the powerplay. Post that, the New Zealand captain and Will Young somewhat steadied the ship with a 43-run partnership for the third wicket. Shakib al Hasan forced the latter to make the mistake and broke the partnership. The three spinners picked six wickets between them and conceded just 58 runs in 11 overs. Latham survived a couple of close shaves (an lbw call and a run-out chance fluffed by Nurul Hasan), but he couldn't take his team over the line and their innings ended at 137/5. For Bangladesh, spinners Shakib al Hasan and Mahedi Hasan scalped two wickets each.
Earlier after winning the toss and batting first, Bangladesh put on a decent total of 141. The openers Mohammad Naim and Liton Das made a dashing start for the side putting 59-run partnership. Then Kiwi spinner Rachin Ravindra made the breakthrough by grabbing back-to-back wicket of Liton (33) and then wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur was also returned for a golden duck after being stumped by Latham.
Before getting out, Liton scored 29-ball 33 including three boundaries and a maximum.
Last match hero Shakib (12), leaving Bangladesh at 72/3 after 11 overs. Then Mahmudullah came to the crease and added 34 runs with Naim then returned to the pavilion after scoring 39-ball 39 comprised with three boundaries. Mahmudullah’s 32-ball 37 bolstered their innings after the untimely wicket of Afif Hossain (3), then Nurul Hasan Sohan and the captain added 32 runs before the end of the innings.