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In a nail-biting third T20I, New Zealand clinched a crucial 17-run victory over Bangladesh, thwarting the latter's aspirations for a historic series win in New Zealand. This win, achieved under the Duckworth-Lewis method on Sunday, leveled the three-match series at 1-1.
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The triumph for the Kiwis was largely anchored by a crucial 46-run partnership between Mitchell Santner and Jimmy Neesham. The duo stepped in at a critical juncture when New Zealand was reeling at 49-5 in the ninth over. Their partnership was not just about adding runs; it was a display of calm and collected cricket under pressure. They managed to guide their team to 95-5 by the 15th over, just in time before the heavy rain, forecasted to disrupt the game, poured down, leading to the match's abrupt conclusion.
The game, held at Bay Oval, witnessed the New Zealand team grappling with a top-order collapse, a recurring issue in the absence of key players like Kane Williamson and Devon Conway. Bangladesh, having already lost the three-match one-day international series, was aiming to clinch the T20 series. The visitors had won the first match by five wickets, while the second match was washed out after 11 overs, making the third match a decider.
New Zealand's decision to field first after winning the toss, a somewhat surprising move considering the Bay Oval’s reputation as a bat-first pitch, turned out to be a strategic masterstroke. The weather forecast predicted rain, and choosing to bowl first gave the Kiwis a degree of control over the game's flow. This decision proved decisive as New Zealand became the first team to win a T20 match at Bay Oval while batting second.
Bowling first, the New Zealanders demonstrated exceptional skill, with Santner leading the charge. He was particularly effective in the middle overs, exploiting the grass on the pitch, which allowed for some turn. Santner finished with an impressive 4-16 from his four overs. The seamers, including Tim Southee, Adam Milne, and Ben Sears, also contributed significantly, sharing six wickets among them.
Bangladesh's innings never really took off. They lost three wickets for 45 runs in the powerplay and struggled in the middle overs, managing only 32 runs between the seventh and 16th overs. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 17 off 15 balls was the top score for Bangladesh, with four other batsmen reaching double figures but failing to convert starts into significant scores.
New Zealand's chase was not without its challenges. Tim Seifert fell early, and the quick dismissals of Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Mark Chapman for just 1 run each added to the team's woes. Chapman’s run-out had a touch of comedy, as he collided with Finn Allen, leading to his dismissal. Allen, who scored 38 off 31 balls, played a key part but could not completely make amends for the run-out.
The Kiwis' situation worsened when Allen was bowled by Shoriful Islam. However, the entry of Neesham and Santner changed the game's complexion. They batted with a mix of caution and aggression, bringing New Zealand back into the contest.
A tactical error from Bangladesh came in the 10th over when Shanto decided to bowl his part-time off-breaks. Neesham and Santner capitalized on this, plundering 14 runs and moving ahead on the Duckworth-Lewis calculation.
Despite the chaotic and comic elements, the match ended in New Zealand’s favor, showcasing their resilience and adaptability. While the victory was sweet for the Kiwis, it exposed the vulnerabilities in their top order, something they would look to address in future matches. For Bangladesh, despite the loss, the tour marked a significant milestone, achieving their first wins in both ODI and T20 formats in New Zealand.
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