Bangladesh vs New Zealand: Patel helps NZ stay alive in the series

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first against Bangladesh and set up the target of 129.

Bangladesh was bowled out for 76. This marked their second lowest total in T20Is.

New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel tore through Bangladesh’s top-order with his career-best 4-16 as NZ made their way back into the series with a 52 run win in Dhaka.

Bangladesh was looking for the series win against Blackcaps after they had won the first two T20Is.

The hosts started well after Muhammad Naim stroke two fours off Jacob Duffy in the first over.

But after that, they started to go down. Cole McConchie (3-15) bowled Linton Das off lbw for 15. After that Patel dismissed Mahedi Hasan and Shakib al Hasan in the same over.

Naim was bowled by all-rounder Rachin Ravendra before Patel dismissed skipper Mahmudullah Riyad and Afif Hossain off consecutive balls to leave Bangladesh reeling at 43-6.

Mushfiqur Rahim tried to lift the score but was left standing at 20 after Colin de Grandhomme picked up the final wicket.

“A very good performance. We were able to build partnerships with the bat even though we lost wickets upfront, got to a par score and bowlers did a fantastic job,” New Zealand skipper Tom Latham said.

After NZ lost their fifth wicket at 62, Henry Nicholls scored 36 off 29, taking the team towards recovery after he made the 66-run sixth-wicket stand with Tom Blundell (30).

Muhammad Saifuddin produced the best bowling figures on the hosts’ side with 2-28.

“Bowlers did a great job to restrict them. We started well with the bat but couldn’t capitalize and lost wickets in a cluster. Hopefully, we will be back strong next game,” Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah said.

The fourth match of the series will be held on Wednesday.

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