Bangladesh trumped a valiant 49 ball-65 not out of New Zealand skipper Tom Latham to secure a thrilling four-run victory in the second game and went up 2-0 in the five-match Twenty20 International series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.
New Zealand required six off the last ball of the innings of Mustafizur Rahman, but Latham the set batsman could make a single as the visitors were able to put up 137-5 in reply of Bangladesh 141-6.
Bangladesh won the first match by seven wickets, bowling New Zealand out for its joint lowest ever T20I score of 60.
Latham indeed gave New Zealand a glimmer of hope to win the game at a venue which turned out to be Bangladesh fortress these days.
The hosts went atop with Mahedi Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan removing the New Zealand openers Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell, leaving them at precarious 18-2.
As it looked, New Zealand would face a collapse again Latham stood tall. He and Will Young appeared set to stabilize the innings but left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan made Bangladesh favorite in the game, getting the better for Young for 22.
With left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and offspinner Mahedi Hasan providing Shakib a support, New Zealand found it tough to pace the innings despite Latham’s presence.
Nasum got the better of Colin de Grandhome and Mahedi baffled Henry Nicholls with an extra bounce to further derail New Zealand innings.
Latham somehow managed to keep the side on track with support from Cole McConchie. But a middle order collapse meant still New Zealand needed 19 runs to win from the last over.
Mustafizur who struggled to get his line and length gave New Zealand the edge when he delivered a beamer that went for boundary and gave New Zealand five runs.
With eight runs requiring in the last two balls, Latham failed to connect on both occasions. Latham however smote six fours and one six in his innings.
Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedi Hasan took two wickets for Bangladesh while Nasum Ahmed picked up one. Mustafizur however had a rare bad day in the office, giving away 34 runs in his four overs but went wicket-less.
Opener Naim Sheikh was the top-scorer for Bangladesh with a run-a-ball-39 while captain Mahmudullah hit an unbeaten 37 off 32 with five fours, which actually helped the side propel past 140 runs mark. Another opener Liton Das was the other notable scorer with 33.
After opting to bat first, Bangladesh made a decent start with Naim and Liton putting on 59 runs for the opening stand. Even though they were little bit slow in ticking the scoreboard, it was a good platform which Bangladesh middle order failed to capitalize on.
New Zealand indeed hit back to the game through left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra whose double strike put Bangladesh in jeopardized state.
Ravindra was the most successful bowler for the Kiwis with 3-22 in four overs.
Ravindra first broke through with the wicket of Liton who smashed three fours and one six in his 29 ball-33, and then had Mushfiqur Rahim stumped out with a flight delivery for golden duck. Offspinner Cole McChonchie then derailed Bangladesh further, getting the better of Shakib Al Hasan for 12.
Captain Mahmudullah came into the crease and looked to stabilize the things alongside Naim.
