Cricket

Bangladesh seal first-ever T20I series win against New Zealand

AFPDhaka
Bangladesh's captain Mahmudullah (C) and New Zealand's Hamish Bennett (2L) greet after Bangladesh's victory at the end of the fourth Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on 8 September 2021.
AFP

Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad struck an unbeaten 43 as Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the fourth Twenty20 international to seal the five-match series 3-1 in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Mahmudullah guided the hosts 96-4 in 19.1 overs after four wickets each from left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman helped them bowl out New Zealand for 93 runs in 19.3 overs.

The visitors sniffed a chance once off-spinner Cole McConchie dismissed opener Liton Das (six) early and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel struck twice in the same over to leave Bangladesh stuttering at 32-3.

Bangladesh's captain Mahmudullah (C) celebrates with teammate Bangladesh's Afif Hossain (L) after Bangladesh's victory at the end of the fourth Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on 8 September 2021.

Patel dragged Shakib Al Hasan (eight) out of his crease for a stumping and bowled Mushfiqur Rahim for a duck three balls later in the sixth over of the innings.

Mohammad Naim and Mahmudullah steadied the innings with 35 runs in the fourth wicket to put Bangladesh back in control.

New Zealand's cricketers celebrate the dismissal of Bangladesh's Naim Sheik during the fourth Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on 8 September 2021.

Naim's run-out for 29 runs with a throw of substitute fielder Doug Bracewell from deep backward square leg revived New Zealand's chances.

But Mahmudullah denied New Zealand further opportunity and sealed the contest with a six and four in successive overs to give Bangladesh their first ever series win over New Zealand in Twenty20 format.

Bangladesh's cricketers celebrate the dismissal of New Zealand's Cole McConchie (R) during the fourth Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on 8 September 2021.

Mahmudullah hailed the bowlers for the win.

"The bowlers did a great job once again to keep New Zealand to a low total. All the bowlers, Nasum, Mahedi, Mustafizur, bowled well. The batters tried their best," he said.

Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman (C) celebrates the dismissal of New Zealand's Tom Blundell (L) during the fourth Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on 8 September 2021.

"We just needed a good partnership in the middle and Naim and I tried that."

Man of the match Nasum earlier picked up his career best 4-10 to dismantle New Zealand's top-order before Mustafizur mopped up the tail with 4-12.

Bangladesh's Nasum Ahmed speaks to the media after being awarded 'Player of the Match' at the end of the fourth Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on 8 September 2021.

Will Young held one end to make 46 off 48 balls but he lacked support from the other end before being dismissed by Mustafizur in the final over of the innings.

"We were slightly under par," said New Zealand captain Tom Latham.

New Zealand's captain Tom Latham (L) plays a shot during the fourth Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on 8 September 2021.

"We were looking at 100-110 but credit to Bangladesh. They batted (well). After a couple of early wickets, they had it under control. The way Mahmudullah finished, credit to them," he said.

Bangladesh won the first two matches respectively by seven wickets and four runs while New Zealand reduced the gap with a 52-run win in Sunday's third match.

The fifth match of the series will be held on Friday at the same ground.

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