Bangladesh vs New Zealand Match Highlights & Results

ADIOS - And with that, the curtains finally come down on a fiercely contested T20I series between New Zealand and Bangladesh. It’s been an absolute rollercoaster of a tour, ultimately ending in a hard-fought 1-1 stalemate, meaning both captains will fittingly share the trophy. That officially wraps up our coverage for this T20I series. Next up, these two international giants will lock horns as they have 2 match Test series, which will start on 8th May, 3.30 am GMT. Alright then, it's goodbye and cheers from all of us here in the commentary box!

New Zealand captain - Nick Kelly says it has been a great series and that the team really enjoys their time here. Speaking about Josh Clarkson's spell, Kelly reckons he was awesome on the day and explains that after the last game, they discussed how the plans were not right, but they are very good today. Addressing the run chase, Kelly says that Shoriful Islam did well up top, yet he points out that Bevon Jacobs soaked up the pressure well before everyone saw his power at the back end.

Player of the Series - Tawhid Hridoy wins the POTS for his overall performance throughout the series, where he scored 84 runs. When asked about the series, Hridoy said that it very good team effort and Hridoy adds that he is hopeful that they will continue like this. On his batting, Tawhid reckons that he has done well in the series, just wishes he'd batted longer today. Hridoy concludes by saying that he aims to keep an eye on the scorecard and conditions and play every ball on its merit.

Player Of The Match - Bevon Jacobs has been awarded the POTM for his match-winning knock of 61 off 31 balls. Bevon says he is really happy with his performance because he always likes to contribute to the team’s cause whenever he can. Bevon reckons that it is pretty special to help in winning a game for NZ. Reflecting on the situation at 33/4, Bevon says that Bangladesh are obviously not going to stop fighting and credits Shoriful for bowling beautifully to put them under pressure, but he is pleased to have the partnership with Dean Foxcroft. On the pitch, Bevon remarks that the surface was really good, once a batter gets his eye in and uses some time.

Bangladesh's skipper - Litton Das says that the toss becomes a big factor with rain around. Das adds that losing early wickets did not help the side either. Das adds that after he builds a partnership with Tawhid Hridoy, the rain break disrupts their rhythm. Speaking about Shoriful Islam, Litton adds that he desires for the pacer to bowl like that more consistently because his early wickets significantly help the team.

Time for the presensation ceremony...

Earlier in the game - New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first, a choice that quickly paid off with three early wickets in the Powerplay. The Bangladeshi batters struggled to cope with the challenging overcast conditions, with Jayden Lennox impressively claiming a wicket with his first delivery, leaving Bangladesh at 35/3 in just 4.4 overs. Though Captain Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy managed to push the score to 50/3, rain interrupted play for nearly two hours, resulting in a reduced match of 15 overs. After the resumption, Hridoy attacked the spinners, but after losing Das, Bangladesh faltered at 86/4. Ish Sodhi dismissed Shamim Hossain, followed by Josh Clarkson taking out Hridoy and Mohammad Saifuddin, leading to a stunning collapse. From 86/4, Bangladesh crumbled to 89/7, and the New Zealand quicks wrapped up the innings, bowling them out for just 102.

Shoriful's triple strike not enough - Bevon Jacobs ultimately finished unbeaten on a stunning 62 off just 31 balls, and it was his innings that sealed the match comprehensively. New Zealand crossed the line at 104 for 4 in 11.4 overs, winning by 6 wickets. Shoriful Islam was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, finishing with 3 wickets for 19 runs from 3 overs, but his efforts were ultimately in vain. But other than him, no Bangladeshi bowlers really stood up when it mattered.

Jacobs to the rescue - However, New Zealand's innings was transformed by the arrival of Bevon Jacobs at number five, who played an innings of remarkable composure and controlled aggression. Jacobs found a steady ally in Dean Foxcroft, and together the pair put on an unbroken 71-run fifth-wicket partnership that completely shifted the complexion of the match. Jacobs was particularly severe on the Bangladesh bowlers, launching sixes at will and rotating the strike with ease.

Nervy start from the Kiwis' top order - Chasing a modest target of 103 under overcast Dhaka skies, New Zealand started their innings cautiously but soon encountered significant trouble. The start was not at all in favour of New Zealand. Tim Robinson was finding the middle of the bat, but the fall of wickets was just not stopping from the other end and it's none other than Shoriful Islam who made the impact. Soon after the fall of two wickets, Robinson fell into the radar of Islam as well and New Zealand were 25 for 3 in the 4th over.

Series level - The Kiwis have done it! After suffering a defeat in the opening game of the series, the second match was nothing short of a must-win for New Zealand. Cruelly, however, the heavens intervened, and the fixture was washed out without a single ball being bowled, leaving the series fate to be decided in this final encounter. New Zealand knew they had to win, and they did it, levelling the series emphatically with a commanding six-wicket victory (DLS Method). For Bangladesh, it was a bitter pill to swallow. Having already claimed the ODI series, a home T20I series win was well within their grasp, and they had every opportunity to wrap it up. But cricket, as it so often does, had other ideas, and in the end, the hosts will be left to rue what might have been.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, Six!SIX! SMOKED IT AWAY! This is tossed up, fuller, on off and middle. Bevon Jacobs sits down on one knee and sweeps it over the deep square leg region for half a dozen. New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets (DLS METHOD).

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, Four!FOUR! Hit hard! Flighted to offer, on middle, much fuller. Bevon Jacobs clears his front foot and launches it down the ground for four runs.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, Six!DROPPED AND SIX! FIFTY FOR JACOBS! Tossed up, fuller, on off and middle. Bevon Jacobs leans on the delivery and slogs it toward the right of the long on fielder. The fielder moves to his right and tries to reverse scoop the catch, but fails to grasp it. The ball bounces off over the boundary line and Jacob gets his much-deserved half-century.

Rishad Hossain to Dean Foxcroft, 1 run.A touch shorter, outside off, Dean Foxcroft slaps it to deep cover for one.

Mahedi Hasan to Dean Foxcroft, 1 run.Short, outside off, Dean Foxcroft flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mahedi Hasan to Dean Foxcroft, No run.Short, outside off, Dean Foxcroft punches it to the left of the bowler.

Mahedi Hasan to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.DROPPED! That should have been taken by Mahedi Hasan! On a good length, on middle. Bevon Jacobs looks to push it, but plays a bit off the bottom hand. The ball flies toward the right of the bowler. Hasan tumbles toward the catch but spills it away. The ball rolls to mid on and a single is taken by the batter.

Mahedi Hasan to Bevon Jacobs, No run.Fuller, down the leg side. Bevon Jacobs makes room to heave it away but gets beaten because of the turn.

Mahedi Hasan to Dean Foxcroft, 1 run.Full, on middle, Dean Foxcroft sweeps it to square leg for one.

Mahedi Hasan to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.Short, on the stumps, Bevon Jacobs punches it to long on for one.

Ripon Mondol to Bevon Jacobs, 3 runs.Back of a length, on middle and leg, Bevon Jacobs nudges it to the vacant mid-wicket region and gets two runs by the time the deep fielder charges the ball and throws it. Now the ball hits the stumps directly at the bowler's end and deflects toward square leg. The batter gets another run.

Ripon Mondol to Bevon Jacobs, 2 runs.Full, on middle, Bevon Jacobs drives it down the track and gets a couple of runs.

Ripon Mondol to Bevon Jacobs, 2 runs.In the air.... but landed safely! Shortish, on off, Bevon Jacobs looks to pull, but miscues the shot. The ball loops and drops toward the right of the long on fielder, just inside the boundary cushion. Brace taken.

Ripon Mondol to Bevon Jacobs, Six!SIX! Now that's what you call 'shot of authority'! Good-length delivery, outside off. Bevon Jacobs predetermines and steps out of the crease. He punches it aerially, over the wide long off fence for six more runs.

Ripon Mondol to Bevon Jacobs, No run.Back of a length, around off, Bevon Jacobs pushes it to cover.

Ripon Mondol to Dean Foxcroft, 1 run.With each single, New Zealand are getting closer and closer toward the victory. On a hard length, on off. Dean Foxcroft charges down the track and pats it to long on for a comfortable single.

Ripon Mondol is back into the attack.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, Four!FOUR! Beautiful shot from Bevon Jacobs! Tossed up, on off and middle. Bevon Jacobs gets down on one knee and slog sweeps it toward the far left of the deep mid-wicket fielder for four runs.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, No run.Full, on middle, Bevon Jacobs tucks it to the short mid-wicket fielder who has been placed just before this delivery.

Rishad Hossain to Dean Foxcroft, 1 run.Short, on off, Dean Foxcroft punches it from his back foot to long on for a single.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.Pitches it up again, on leg, Bevon Jacobs flicks it to deep backward square leg and gets a single.

Rishad Hossain to Dean Foxcroft, 1 run.Flat and fuller, down the leg side, Dean Foxcroft sweeps it to wide of short fine leg for a single.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.Fuller, on off, turning it away from the batter. Bevon Jacobs goes deep into the crease and pushes it to the vacant mid on region for a single.

Time Out! New Zealand are 61/4 after 8 overs now. They need 42 from 42 balls. They are slightly ahead in the game but some quick wickets can still turn the game around. Bevon Jacobs looks well set while Dean Foxcroft is playing the second fiddle. Bangladesh desperately need wickets. Let's see how it ends...

Mohammad Saifuddin to Dean Foxcroft, No run.Appeal for caught behind but not given by the umpire! However, Litton Das takes the review. This is on a good length, angling down the leg side, Dean Foxcroft looks to flick it but misses the connection. The replay shows that there is a clear space when the ball passes the bat. Bangladesh lose their review.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Dean Foxcroft, No run.Keeps it full, on off, Dean Foxcroft blocks it back to the bowler.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Dean Foxcroft, Wide!Wide! Down the leg side, Dean Foxcroft looks to flick it but misses.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Bevon Jacobs, 3 runs.Back of a length, outside off, Bevon Jacobs slaps it to the right of the deep point fielder. The fielder does well to cut it to two runs and throws it to the bowler's end. However, the back-up failed to do his job and the batters got another run. So three runs on this ball.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Dean Foxcroft, 1 run.The Kiwis are rotating their strike and that is enough for them right now. They just need to avoid dot deliveries. Good length, on off, Dean Foxcroft pushes it to long on for a single.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.Back of a length, on middle, Bevon Jacobs tucks it to deep square leg for another single.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Dean Foxcroft, 1 run.On a good length, on middle, Dean Foxcroft whips it to deep square leg for a single.

Mohammad Saifuddin has been introduced to the attack.

Rishad Hossain to Dean Foxcroft, 1 run.Short again, outside leg, Dean Foxcroft tucks it to deep square leg and gets another single. New Zealand need 49 runs off 48 balls now.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.Hossain drags his length back, angling it down the leg side. Bevon Jacobs flicks it to square leg and gets across for one run.

Rishad Hossain to Dean Foxcroft, 1 run.A touch fuller, on off, Dean Foxcroft pushes it with soft hands toward the right of the point fielder and gets a quick single. This is better cricket from the Kiwis!

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.Short, on off, Bevon Jacobs pulls it with control to wide long on for a single.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, 2 runs.Much fuller, on middle, Bevon Jacobs flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, No run.Short, on off, Bevon Jacobs bunts it back to the bowler.

Shoriful Islam to Dean Foxcroft, Four!FOUR! That's a lovely stroke! Full-length delivery yet again from Islam, on off. Dean Foxcroft prods halfway, leans on the delivery and punches it with full face of the bat toward the right of mid off for four runs.

Shoriful Islam to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.Nice and full, on off, Bevon Jacobs knocks it to mid off for a single.

Shoriful Islam to Bevon Jacobs, Four!FOUR! Short and punished! Bumper, on middle and off. Bevon Jacobs pulls it down and hard toward the left of deep square leg for a four more runs.

Shoriful Islam to Bevon Jacobs, Four!FOUR! Not entirely where Jacobs intended to hit, but he will take those runs. Much fuller, on off, angling away. Bevon Jacobs plants his front foot and attempts to punch it through mid off, but the ball hits the inner half of the blade. It then rolls toward the left of the square leg fielder and Jacobs gets four runs.

Shoriful Islam to Dean Foxcroft, 1 run.On hard length, just outside off. Dean Foxcroft bunts it to right of short cover and gets a quick single.

Shoriful Islam to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.Much fuller, on off, Bevon Jacobs knocks it down the ground for a single.

Another wicket falls for New Zealand. They are 33/4 now, and they need 70 from 60 balls. Dean Foxcroft is the new batter.

Mahedi Hasan to Nick Kelly, OUT! b Mahedi Hasan.OUT! CASTLED! The pressure was piling on the skipper, and Mahedi Hasan did well to capitalize on it. Another arm ball from Mahedi, short and pitching it outside off, angling in. Nick Kelly puts his weight on his back foot and tries to cut it, but cramps for room. The ball misses the inner edge and rattles on the top of the off pole. New Zealand are 33 for 4 now.

Mahedi Hasan to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.Short, on middle, Bevon Jacobs whips it to square leg for a single.

Mahedi Hasan to Nick Kelly, 1 run.Arm ball, short and around off, Nick Kelly knocks it to long off for a single. Kelly gets his first run.

Mahedi Hasan to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.Flighted, fuller, just outside off, Bevon Jacobs lunges and looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball rolls to the wide of short cover and the batter gets a single.

Mahedi Hasan to Bevon Jacobs, No run.Full, on off, Bevon Jacobs defends it down.

Mahedi Hasan to Bevon Jacobs, Four!FOUR! Streaky! Tossed up fuller, just outside off, Bevon Jacobs looks to drive at it but gets nicked on the outside edge. The ball rolls away to deep third for a boundary.

76 needed from 66 balls now. New Zealand are slightly ahead in the game as of now, but some quick wickets can turn the game around for Bangladesh. Mahedi Hasan comes into the attack now.

Shoriful Islam to Nick Kelly, No run.Fuller, on off, Nick Kelly defends it to the off side. Another top over from Shoriful Islam. A wicket and just a run from it.

Shoriful Islam to Nick Kelly, No run.DROPPED? No, that didn't come off the bat. This is back of a length, pitching it just outside off and slanting it in. Nick Kelly lifts his front leg and looks to pull it, but gets beaten on the inside edge and thumps on the thigh pad. The ball flies flat and drops just short of the keeper.

Shoriful Islam to Nick Kelly, No run.Good-length delivery, on the fifth stump. Nick Kelly hangs back and dabs it to cover.

Shoriful Islam to Bevon Jacobs, 1 run.Back of a length, around off, Bevon Jacobs steers it to deep backward point for a single. Jacobs is off the mark!

Shoriful Islam to Bevon Jacobs, No run.Hat-trick ball! Good-length delivery, pitching it on off and swaying it away from the right-hander. Bevon Jacobs watchfully leaves it alone.

New Zealand loses their third wicket now. Bevon Jacobs comes out and number 5.

Shoriful Islam to Tim Robinson, OUT! b Shoriful Islam.OUT! TIMBER! Shoriful Islam has three already. On a length, on middle, with a hint of inward movement. Tim Robinson moves down the ground and looks to loft it but misses it completely as the ball rattles over the stumps. The crowd are all pumped up as New Zealand are 25/3 after 3.1 overs. Shoriful Islam had taken a wicket on the last ball of his previous over as well, so he will be on a hat-trick on the following ball now.

First change for Bangladesh? No, Shoriful Islam will continue.

Ripon Mondol to Tim Robinson, 1 run.Back of a length, on middle and leg, Tim Robinson knocks it down the ground for a single.

Ripon Mondol to Tim Robinson, No run.Short, on off, Tim Robinson looks to pull it but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls towards mid-wicket. Dot.

Ripon Mondol to Tim Robinson, 2 runs.Good length, on middle and leg, Tim Robinson tucks it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Ripon Mondol to Tim Robinson, No run.Hard length, on off, Tim Robinson eases it to the cover fielder.

Ripon Mondol to Tim Robinson, Six!SIX! A flat six from Tim Robinson! Back of a length, on off, Tim Robinson takes a step forward and slaps it powerfully over cover for a biggie.

Ripon Mondol to Tim Robinson, Four!FOUR! A fine shot from Tim Robinson! Ripon Mondol errs his line down leg, Tim Robinson uses the pace of the ball and helps it through fine leg for a boundary.

What an over it was from Shoriful Islam. Two wickets in his first over. Nick Kelly walks up to the middle, replacing Dane Cleaver.

Shoriful Islam to Dane Cleaver, OUT! c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam.OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Back of a length, on middle, Dane Cleaver moves forward and looks to pull it, but gets beaten on the bottom edge. Litton Das collects the ball and appeals for a caught behind, but the umpire is unmoved. He sends it upstairs to have a check. Ultra edge shows a clear spike and the onfield decision is overturned to OUT. The crowd are all pumped up. What an over from Shoriful Islam. New Zealand are 12/2 after 2 overs.

Shoriful Islam to Tim Robinson, 1 run.Length again, shaping in, on middle. Tim Robinson blocks it back to the bowler.

Shoriful Islam to Dane Cleaver, 1 run.Good length, on middle, Dane Cleaver taps it to mid on for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. A direct hit and Dane Cleaver was a goner.

Shoriful Islam to Dane Cleaver, No run.Much fuller, on off, Dane Cleaver blocks it back to the bowler.

That's a beauty from Shoriful Islam. Dane Cleaver is the new batter.

Shoriful Islam to Katene Clarke, OUT! c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam.OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! That's a ripper from Shoriful Islam. On a length, on off, and it shapes away from the batter. Katene Clarke stays back and looks to block it but the ball kisses the outside edge of Katene Clarke's blade and carries towards the keeper, Litton Das, who makes no mistake. An early and much-needed breakthrough for Bangladesh.

Shoriful Islam to Tim Robinson, 1 run.Hard length, on off, Tim Robinson looks to slap it but gets a bottom edge as the ball bounces through the left of the keeper. They collect a single.

Shoriful Islam comes into the attack now.

Mahedi Hasan to Tim Robinson, 1 run.Good start from New Zealand. 9 runs from the first over. Full, on off, Tim Robinson pushes it to cover for a single.

Mahedi Hasan to Tim Robinson, 2 runs.Quicker, on middle and leg, Tim Robinson flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Mahedi Hasan to Tim Robinson, No run.Short and wide, Tim Robinson looks to cut it but misses.

Mahedi Hasan to Tim Robinson, Four!FOUR! Fine shot! Short, on leg, Tim Robinson shuffles across and cuts it through covers for a magnificent boundary.

Mahedi Hasan to Katene Clarke, 1 run.Keeps it full, on middle, Katene Clarke flicks it to square leg for a quick single. The fielder makes a direct hit at the batter's end but Katene Clarke was well in.

Mahedi Hasan to Tim Robinson, 1 run.New Zealand and Tim Robinson are away. Short, on leg, Tim Robinson tucks it to mid-wicket for a quick single.

We are back for the chase! The two umpires are marching toward the center. Bangladesh players are scattered to take the fielding positions. Katene Clarke and Tim Robinson to open the inning for New Zealand. Spin to start for Bangladesh as Mahedi Hasan gets the new ball in hand. Alright then, the Kiwis required 103 runs in 90 balls. Away we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Clean work from the Kiwi bowlers - Despite the disruption, Liton Das provided some urgency and flair upon resumption. He struck a brisk 26 off 17 balls, giving Bangladesh much-needed momentum in the middle overs. He was well supported briefly by Towhid Hridoy, who emerged as Bangladesh's most composed batter of the innings. However, Das was caught off Josh Clarkson in the ninth over as New Zealand reasserted control. Wickets started to fall one by one. Tawhid Hridoy was the only batter who stayed for a very long time, scoring 33 off 24 balls, but no one was able to provide him with the back-up. Bangladesh ended up posting 102 runs by the end of the inning.

Dhaka deluge - Bangladesh's first innings in the series decider got off to a cautiously watchful start at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. New Zealand, having won the toss and elected to bowl under cloudy skies, set their fielders well and applied early pressure. The openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan managed a 21-run stand, but Hassan fell early in the fourth over, dismissed by Nathan Smith. Tanzid Hasan followed soon after for just 6, bowled by Smith in a double-wicket fifth over that left Bangladesh wobbling at 35 for 2. A rain interruption then brought proceedings to a halt, with the skies over Dhaka opening up and forcing the players off the field. When play eventually resumed, the overs were reduced to 15.

What an inning it was - Things are getting more and more interesting here in Dhaka. Yes, there was a rain stoppage in the middle, and for that, the game got reduced to 15 overs aside, but the way New Zealand kept their calm after the rain break was exceptional. Bangladesh's Litton Das and Tawhid Hridoy tried to anchor, but they lost their way in the middle phase of the first inning.

Ben Sears to Ripon Mondol, OUT! b Ben Sears.OUT! TIMBER! What a finish by Ben Sears. Back-to-back wickets for him. What a display of bowling and fielding this has been from New Zealand. On a length, on off, Ripon Mondol makes room and swings hard but misses it completely as the ball clips the off pole. Bangladesh have been bundled out for a mere 102 runs.

Last man in, and it's none other than Ripon Mondol.

Ben Sears to Shoriful Islam, OUT! b Ben Sears.OUT! CHOPPED ON! Another one down. New Zealand are right on top. A low full toss, on off, Shoriful Islam gets low and looks to loft it but gets an inside edge as the ball rattles over the stumps. What a way to start the final over. Bangladesh are 102/9 after 14.1 overs and are down to their last wicket now.