New Zealand notched a series-leveling six-wicket win over Bangladesh via DLS method in a rain-affected third T20 International on May 2, thanks to a resilient unbeaten half-century from Bevon Jacobs. Chasing a revised target of 103 in a 15-over contest in Dhaka, the visitors found themselves in a precarious position early on, collapsing to 33-4.
New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets in 3rd T20I
However, Jacobs and Dean Foxcroft combined for a decisive 71-run partnership to guide the Black Caps home with more than three overs to spare, ensuring the three-match series ended in a 1-1 draw after the second game was washed out.
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The chase began with a flurry of wickets as Shoriful Islam delivered a devastating opening spell. The Bangladeshi pacer struck twice in his very first over, dismissing opener Katene Clarke and Dane Cleaver for just one run each. He continued his onslaught in his second over by bowling Tim Robinson, who had briefly counter-attacked with a quick-fire 23. When off-spinner Mahedi Hasan removed stand-in captain Nick Kelly for one, the New Zealand innings appeared to be in total disarray.
Bevon Jacobs' 31-ball 62 in Kiwis' win
Despite the mounting pressure, Bevon Jacobs turned the tide with a clinical 31-ball 62, peppered with five boundaries and three sixes. While Foxcroft anchored the innings with a steady 15, Jacobs took the initiative, notably taking on Shoriful in the closing stages of the pacer's spell to seize back the momentum. Although Shoriful finished as the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh with impressive figures of 3-19, he could not break the match-winning stand that ultimately salvaged the series for New Zealand.
Prior to the rain-interrupted chase, New Zealand's bowlers delivered a clinical performance to bundle Bangladesh out for a meager 102 in just 14.2 overs. The hosts' innings never truly gained momentum after a catastrophic powerplay saw them lose three wickets in rapid succession. While opener Saif Hassan showed early promise with two boundaries, he became a footnote in history as he fell for 16 to debutant left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox on the very first ball of Lennox’s international career. Nathan Smith further tightened the screws by bowling Tanzid Hasan Tamim for six and dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon for a golden duck on the following delivery, forcing Towhid Hridoy to navigate a tense hat-trick ball.
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Josh Clarkson's fiery 3-fer keeps Bangladesh in check
Captain Litton Das attempted to spark a recovery with a brisk 26 off 17 balls, but his momentum was halted by a lengthy rain delay; he was dismissed shortly after play resumed, leaving the middle order exposed. Hridoy tried to anchor the innings but eventually succumbed to a pinpoint yorker from Josh Clarkson, who emerged as the pick of the bowlers with stellar figures of 3-9. Ben Sears then efficiently cleaned up the tail, while Smith and Lennox finished their shifts with two wickets apiece to keep the target within reach.
The match also served as a milestone for individual records on both sides. Veteran leg-spinner Ish Sodhi etched his name into the record books as New Zealand’s all-time leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, surpassing Tim Southee to reach a career total of 165 wickets. On the Bangladeshi side, Litton Das set a new national record for wicketkeeping dismissals, overtaking Mushfiqur Rahim’s tally of 62 to reach a new benchmark of 64. Despite the loss, Bangladesh can look back on a successful tour overall, having secured the preceding ODI series 2-1.