Bangladesh VS New Zealand T20I Series
2nd Match Played on 3 September 2021 at SBNCS, Dhaka
Brief Scorecard: Bangladesh 141/6 in 20 Overs
(Mohammad Naim 39, Mahmudullah Riad 37*, Liton K Das 33, Rachin Ravindra 3/22, Ajaj Patel 1/20, Cole McConchie 1/24, Hamish Bennett 1/32)
New Zealand 137/5 In 20 Overs (Tom Latham 65, Will Young 22, Cole McConchie 15*, Mehedi Hasan 2/12, Shakib Al Hasan 2/29)
Bangladesh Won By 4 Runs.
Player of The Match: Mahmudullah Riad
On a marginal sporting surface, the 2nd match of Bangladesh New Zealand T20 series, Team Tigers had a great escape. Black Caps went within a hand shaking distance for winning. Winning by 4 runs in a breath-taking match Bangladesh elevated it ICC T20 ranking to 6th thanks to a well calculated matured innings of unbeaten 37 by captain cool Mahmudullah and reasonably good 59 runs opening partnership between Mohammad Naim (39) and Liton K Das (33). Bangladesh produced 141/6, the highest score at SBNCS over the past 7 matches. Riding on a great-unbeaten innings of 65 by Tom Latham the tourist made Bangladesh sweat till the last ball. Bangladesh managed to pip New Zealand to the post by 4 runs as the visitors failed scoring 6 runs in the last 2 balls. It was a wake up call for Bangladesh.
It was another match where morning did not show the day. Winning the toss and opting to bat Bangladesh looked cruising putting up a confident 59 in the opening partnership between Liton and Naim by the 10th over. But as soon as Liton got out panic set in. Mushfique and Shakib went within the wink of an eye. Riad and Naim steadied the boat for a while till Naim got out scoring 39. Luckily Riad maintaining his composure stayed till the end as Bangladesh managed 141/6, the highest score at SBNCS over the past 7 matches. Indian born Rachin Ravindra was the pick of the tourist bowlers taking 3/22. The wicket was still not ideal for stroke play. But Naim, Liton and Mahmudullah must be given credit for good batting.
Bangladesh again did not execute Plan B. Defending a reasonably good target they could start with pace spin combination. Instead the spinners started from either end. Tourist did not start well though stumbling again to 18/2 by the 4th over. But skipper Latham and rookie Young putting up 43 runs 3rd wicket partnership threatened to take away the initiative. However, Shakib removing Young stemmed the flow. Latham kept going but none else could give him company for a long time. Bangladeshi pacers Saifuddin and Mustafiz leaked 72 runs in the 8 overs. A very matured and well-paced unbeaten innings of 65 by Latham took the tourist within a stroke to the winning target. Another match another day New Zealand can hop across. However, Mustafiz kept his nerve and Bangladesh had a great escape winning by 4 runs. Bangladesh moved 2-0 inching towards yet another series win. It was nevertheless a wake up call for the home tea showing what could be the consequence of playing on slow low gripping wickets. After a good start Bangladesh must not have panicked in the top order. Two veterans Mushfique and Shakib looked in a hurry. Saifuddin and Mustafiz had a bad day at the office.
BDST: 1205 HRS, SEP 04, 2021
SMS
