2nd T20I, Mirpur, September 03, 2021, 03:30 PM
141/6(20.0ov)
137/5(20.0ov)
Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 4 runs
Right then. That is all we have from this game. The series stands at 2-0 in favour of Bangladesh. But as seen in this game, New Zealand are now getting back to form. The Kiwis will come all guns blazing in the next game to save the series. The third T20I will be on 5th September, at 4 pm Local (10 am GMT). Do join us for the same. Till then, take care and goodbye!
Mahmudullah, the Bangladeshi skipper, is also the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He says that he is happy to get over the line. Adds that Mustafizur Rahman held his nerves very well. Adds that Mahedi Hasan has been bowling really well and is keeping things tight. He also credits Shakib Al Hasan and Nasum Ahmed for the way they bowled. Says that they always believed that they are a very good team in this format and are happy to be winning games consistently.
Tom Latham, the New Zealand skipper, says that it was a great game of cricket. Adds that they turned things around from the last game with the bat. Says that Rachin Ravindra was brilliant and other bowlers were also very good. States that he was looking to bat through the innings and the other batters were looking to be more aggressive.
Earlier in the day, after electing to bat first, Bangladesh got to a good total courtesy of decent knocks by Mohammad Naim, Liton Das and Mahmudullah. New Zealand did get close but it was Bangladesh who emerged victorious and have taken a 2-0 lead in this series.
The bowling of Bangladesh was once again led by the spinners. Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed and Shakib Al Hasan combined to take 5 wickets and did not give away a lot. Mustafizur Rahman was slightly expensive according to his usual standards but he held his nerves in the final over to see his team home. Mohammad Saifuddin did not have the best of games but bowled well in the penultimate over. However, the good work by the spinners covered up for the average effort by the pacers.
New Zealand though can be a lot happier with their effort with the bat. They were led by their skipper Tom Latham. He though needed support. Will Young did hang around for a bit but could not make most of the start. Had there been one cameo from one of the big hitters, things could have well been different. Latham fought till the last ball, but could not get them over the line. New Zealand though will still be pleased as they did make a good effort after being bundled out for 60 in the last game.
Phew! What a game! Tom Latham fought till the end but could not get his team over the line. Yet again a good win for Bangladesh! Yes, it did get nervy towards the end but Mustafizur Rahman kept his cool. Their bowlers have risen to the occasion once again. Yes, over 140 was always above par but defending a total in that range, irrespective of the wicket, is a tough task and they are mastering it at least at home.
In over# 20
1
2lb
5nb
1
2
1
3
Mustafizur Rahman 34/0(4)
19.6
1
Mustafizur Rahman delivers! He does it for his team! Length ball, outside off. Latham heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one. Bangladesh win by 4 runs!
19.5
2lb
TWO LEG BYES! The game is still alive! Mustafizur Rahman bowls a full one, on the pads. Latham gets hit on the pads while looking to flick. This could have been out if it wasn't a Free Hit. The ball goes to deep square leg and they get a couple of leg byes. 6 from the last ball now!
19.5
5nb
NO BALL AND FOUR! So much drama out there! Mustafizur Rahman ends up bowling a very high full toss, outside off. Latham hangs his bat out and gets some bat on it. The ball takes the inside edge and goes past the keeper to the fine leg fence. So, 8 from 2 now and the next ball is a Free Hit!
19.4
1
13 from 2 now! Back of a length, outside off. Cole McConchie punches it to sweeper cover for one.
19.3
2
14 from 3 now! Shorter ball, outside off. Cut away past point. The man in the deep runs across to his left and keeps it to two.
19.2
1
Just a single! Length ball, wide outside off. Latham smacks it towards long off for one.
19.1
3
Just short of the fielder! Length ball, on leg. Cole McConchie looks to slog but mistimes. The ball goes towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs in and dives but the ball falls short of him and goes past him. But he recovers well and stops it from going to the fence. Three runs taken.
Right then. 20 needed from 6 balls. Mustafizur Rahman to bowl this one.
In over# 19
1
1
0
2
4
0
Mohammad Saifuddin 36/0(4)
18.6
1
Just a single! And Tom Latham will not be on strike! Yorker, wide outside off. Cole McConchie digs it towards point for one.
18.5
1
Just a single. Full ball, on the pads. Whipped to deep square leg for one. A very important ball coming up.
18.4
.
Dot ball! Length ball, outside off. Latham looks to reverse paddle it over short third man but misses. Mohammad Saifuddin puts in an appeal but finds no support.
