New Zealand snatched a dramatic six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a rain-curtailed third T20I in Dhaka on Saturday, ensuring the three-match series finished level at 1-1.
The visitors chased down a revised target of 103 in 15 overs with remarkable ease, riding on a counter-attacking masterclass from Bevon Jacobs.
After heavy rain interrupted Bangladesh’s innings for nearly two hours, the match was reduced to 15 overs per side. The hosts, who were 50 for 3 before the stoppage, never recovered momentum upon resumption.
They eventually folded for 102 in 14.2 overs, losing their last six wickets for just 26 runs in a dramatic collapse.
Towhid Hridoy offered some resistance with a fighting 33, while Litton Das chipped in with a brisk 25 at the top. However, New Zealand’s bowlers tightened the screws after the break.
Josh Clarkson was the standout performer, claiming 3 for 9 to trigger the lower-order slide. Nathan Smith had earlier struck twice in one over to remove Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon, finishing with 2 for 14. Ben Sears also made an impact late in the innings with two quick wickets.
Defending a modest total under lights, Bangladesh made a dream start with the ball. Shoriful Islam rattled the visitors’ top order with a fiery spell, dismissing Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver and Tim Robinson to reduce New Zealand to 33 for 4 inside five overs.
Robinson had looked dangerous during his 23 off 14 balls before falling to Shoriful, who ended with impressive figures of 3 for 19.
At that stage, Bangladesh sensed an opportunity to clinch the series. But Jacobs turned the tide emphatically. The right-hander launched a calculated assault, smashing an unbeaten 62 off 31 deliveries, decorated with five fours and three sixes.
He targeted both pace and spin, shifting the pressure back onto the home side with clean hitting through midwicket and straight down the ground.
Jacobs found steady support in Dean Foxcroft, who remained unbeaten on 15, as the duo stitched together an unbroken partnership to seal the chase with 20 balls to spare under the DLS method.
Bangladesh had earlier secured victory in the opening T20I in Chattogram, while the second match was washed out.
Although the Tigers had won the preceding ODI series, they were left to rue missed chances in the decider as New Zealand’s resilience ensured the honours were shared in Dhaka.
