Blackcaps Equals The Series With Dominant Display in Rain-Shortened Clash

New Zealand equals the T20I series against Bangladesh with a commanding 17-run victory via the D/L method in a rain-truncated encounter at the Bay Oval. While the weather threatened to steal the show, it was the Blackcaps' clinical performance with bat and ball that truly defined the day.

Match Highlights

Kiwi’s dominance in the match started in the very first over when Southee took the wicket of Sarkar. Bangladesh's team lost their wickets at regular intervals and no batter could settle on the pitch As a result Bangladesh got all out in just 110 runs. No batter in the team managed to cross the 20-run mark. The introduction of spin proved to be the turning point. Mitchell Santner (4/16) spun a web around the Bangladeshi batsmen, claiming wickets at regular intervals. Milne, Sears, and Tim Southee also took two wickets each, dismantling the visitors' order in a ruthless display of bowling.

Finn Allen is the only decent top-order batter in the New Zealand lineup scoring 38 off just 31 balls. All other top batters struggle to score runs. Four Kiwi batsmen got out on 1 run score including Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Mark Chapman. Neesham (28) and Santner (20) chipped in valuable contributions and led the team total to 95 runs.

Game called off due to rain

Rain intervened when New Zealand was on 95/5 after 14.4 overs, forcing the players off the field. Following a lengthy delay, the match was eventually called off, with the D/L method handing the Blackcaps a well-deserved victory.

Key takeaways:

• Mitchell Santner's exceptional spin bowling choked the Bangladeshi chase.
• New Zealand's dominant bowling performance ensured to draw the series 1-1.
• Neesham and Santner's valuable 46-run partnership saved the match for the Kiwis.

Player of the match

Mitchell Santner for his electrifying 4 wickets and match-saving 20 runs that gave the Blackcaps the only win in the series.