WEB DESK
New Zealand thrashed Bangladesh by 48 runs after an outstanding all-round performance to set up the tri-series final against Pakistan on Friday.
The crushing defeat eliminated Bangladesh from the ongoing T20 tri-series as they remained winless throughout the campaign with a game still left.
Opener Devon Conway raised a brilliant half-century before Glenn Phillips smacked Bangladesh bowlers to cleaners as he scored a blistering 60 off 24 balls to help New Zealand post a mammoth 209-run target after they were put to bat.
Blackcaps bowlers, on the other hand, stormed through the batting line, despite brave resistance from skipper Shakib Al Hasan who scored 70 off 40 while Bangladesh were restricted to 160/7.
Bangladesh went for a robust attack during the chase as the team cruised to 90/2 in 9.5, overs before they started to lose wickets at regular intervals.
Shakib and Soumya Sarkar anchored Bangladesh’s inning as the two built a defiant 43-run partnership for the third wicket before the latter was removed by Adam Milne on 23 off 17.
Following the dismissal, Bangladesh lost the track of their chase as the next three batters Afif Hossain (4), Nurul Hasan (2) and Yasir Ali (6) fell cheaply between the 11th and 16th overs.
For New Zealand, Milne returned the impressive bowling figures of 3/24 while Michael Bracewell and Tim Southee bagged two wickets each.
Earlier, New Zealand batters whipped the opposition’s bowling attack and raised 66 runs in the last five overs to take the scoreboard to 208/5 in the allotted 20 overs.
Blackcaps had an impressive start after as the opening pair of Conway and Finn Allen hoisted 45 runs in mere 25 balls before the latter fell prey to Shoriful Islam. Allen walked back after scoring 32 off 19 including three four and two sixes.
Martin Guptil, who batted at No 3 in Williamson’s place, looked impressive in his first outing in the ongoing Tri-series as he hit three fours and a six during his 34-run knock and anchored the Blackcaps innings with a valiant second-wicket partnership of 87 runs along with Conway.
Conway, on the other, left the crease in the 17th after playing a magnificent knock of 64 off 40 while No 4 batter Phillips smashed five sixes and two fours to take his team to the commanding position in the game.
For Bangladesh, Mohammad Saifuddin and Ebadot Hussain bagged two wickets each while Shoriful had a scalp to his credit.
