Bangladesh New Zealand T20 Series
3rd Match Played at SBNCS Dhaka on 5 September 2021
New Zealand 128/5 in 20 Overs (Henry Nicholls 36*, Tom Blundell 30*, Rachin Ravindra 20, Will Young 20, Fin Allen 15, Mohammad Saifuddin 2/28, Mahmudullah Riad 1/10, Mustafizur Rahman 1/29)
Bangladesh 76 All Out in 19.4 Overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 20, Liton K Das 15, Mohammad Naim 15, Ajaj Patel 4/16, Cole McConchie 3/15, Colin de Grandhomme 1/3, Rachin Ravindra 1/13, Scot Kuggeleijn 1/14)
New Zealand Won 52 Runs
5 Matches Series after 3rd Match stands as 2-1 in Favor of Bangladesh.
Player of the Match: Ajaj Patel
A clinical team performance by Black Caps paid back host Bengal Tigers on their own coins at Tigers den SBNCS years yesterday.
Tasman Tsunami swept away Bengal Tigers as they succumbed to 76 responding to 128/5 that Black Caps managed scoring batting first. It was fitting repayment of dues by the tourists after themselves getting bundled out to their lowest T20 score of 60 in the first match on the same venue. Team Tigers had a great escape winning marginally by 4 runs in the second match. These made the remaining two matches extremely breathtaking. Tigers have so much at stakes while Black Caps must be feeling greatly relived after their skillful performance. The youngsters appear maturing with every match. Highflying Tigers must do soul searching as this loss would not let them trying their fringe players over the next two matches. The series is now on the border line. Those who have knowledge about Kiwi Cricket alerted Bangladesh about the inherent strength of New Zealand cricket and their adaptability even more than the Australian team at the moment.
The intentions of Black Caps was announced boldly from the onset of their innings with Finn Allen playing his first match after turning COVID negative attacked Bangladesh spinners showing the less experienced young comrades how to play spin on slow turning wicket. His 3 fours in his brief stay of 10 balls 15 gave positive signal to the dressing room. Riad had to change plan and unleash his tramp card Mustafiz early. Ironically Mustafiz –Mahmudullah combination could get rid of Allen before he could inflict significant damage. However, Allen’s impact worked as far as second wicket partnership between rookies Rachin Ravindra (20) and Will Young (20) added useful 30 runs before Saifuddin striking double blows reduced the tourists to 3/46. Captain Mahmudullah out smarting Rachin Ravindra made it 4/56. Captain Latham also could not do much. But the turning point of the match was a very matured unbeaten 6th wicket partnership of 66 between Henry Nichols (36*) and Tom Blundell (30*). New Zealand produced 128/5 a proven competitive score on SBNCS wicket in recent times. It was by no means a great team effort by New Zealand team losing 2 matches on the trot and staring at series loss. It was an off day in the office of Bangladesh spinners Three spinners Shakib, Mahedi and Nasum bowling 10 overs in between them managed only 1 wicket only giving away 60 runs. Tourists have definitely found out a way for dealing with them.
Chasing 129 for a series win required cool calculative match planning. Would not say Bangladesh made a bad start. Naim Liton partnership raced to 23 by the 3rd over before panic set win. It appeared a jet was waiting for them for flying out for UAE for ICC World Cup. Tasman Tsunami blew Liton, Mahedy, Naim, Shakib, Mahmudullah and Afif were blown away. From 23/0 it soon became 43./6. None except Mushfique took any lesson from the away how Nichols and Blundell batted earlier on the day. There was not much even Little Mushy could do except gazing at one way traffic of Bangladeshi batsmen. The real quality of Bangladesh cricket was surfaced once again. Bangladesh got bundled out for 76 failing to digest their own medicine of spin. Ajaj Patel (4/16) and Cole McConchie (3/15) paid Bangladesh back on their own coin.
We must appreciate the way the Black Caps roared back in the series after absorbing the humiliation of the lowest score of 60 in the first match. They could have won the second match going within breath taking distance. Now with series in the border line the 4th match has become do or die for the tourists. Host still have advantage at (2-1). We have to see how Bangladesh reacts from the dismal 3rd match.
I would blame Shakib and Mahmuduallah for not applying in the match. Why Mahedi had to be promoted to bat at three in the match? It proved yet again that Bangladesh batting crumbles like cookies in pressure cooker situation. The quality of Head Coach would have acid test in the remaining two matches.
BDST: 0806 HRS, SEP 06, 2021
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