Led by skipper Kane Williamson alongside opener Devon Conway, who shared an 85-run partnership for the second wicket, New Zealand secured an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in Hagley Oval on Sunday at the New Zealand Twenty20 Tri-Series. Conway struck his third T20 half-century from 36 balls and eventually carried his bat with 70 runs off 51 balls. Williamson scored 30 from 29 balls as New Zealand chased down Bangladesh's 137-8 with 13 balls to spare.
The win also means that Pakistan, who won both matches in this ongoing Tr-series, will face New Zealand in the final on Tuesday, October 11.
New Zealand reversed their strategy from their six-wicket loss to Pakistan on Saturday. Williamson decided to bowl first and the tactic worked as the Bangladesh bowlers struggled to contain New Zealand on a slow, low pitch.
“We had a really good first half and some really good partnerships in the second half to get across the line,” Williamson said. “Our spinners were outstanding throughout the first 20 and the seamers complimented them really well.”
The Bangladesh innings began reasonably and it reached 30-1 after five offers.
Spinners Ish Sodhi and Michael Bracewell managed to slam on the brakes in conditions that suited the slower bowlers. Playing forceful shots was difficult as the ball held in the wicket and kept low and Bangladesh lost wickets as it tried to lift its run rate.
After 10 overs it was 63-3 and slumped to 88-5 after 15 overs, faced with the prospect of presenting New Zealand with a comfortable run chase. Nurul Hasan came to his team's rescue with an unbeaten 25 from 12 balls as Bangladesh took 27 runs from the last two overs.
Bracewell finished with 2-14 from his four overs.
After Williamson lost his wicket at the end of the 15th over, Glenn Phillips supported Conway and scored 23 from nine balls with two fours and two sixes.
“I thought with the used wicket the New Zealand spinners bowled really well,” Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan said. “With their quality spin, we couldn't handle it. We tried to play too many big shots and we lost wickets through the middle. In our top three or four, someone had to put their hand up and bat to the 15th or 16th overs. It's not happening but we have two more games," he concluded.
