Tigers suffer 52-run defeat in 3rd T20I

New Zealand registered their first T20I win as they beat Bangladesh by 52 runs in the third of the five-match T20I series at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Sunday.

Bangladesh made 76 which is their second lowest score in T20I. Bangladesh scored the same earlier in T20I against New Zealand in April 2021.

In chase of the target, Bangladesh top-orders collapsed within the first four overs as New Zealand spinners dominated on the slow wicket with Cole McConchie taking three wickets and Azaz Patel bagging four.

McConchie trapped Tiger opener Liton Das with an lbw, dismissing the right-handed batsman after he had scored 15 off 11 balls. Then, the wickets of Mahedi Hasan (1) and Shakib Al Hasan (0) were swiftly taken by Ajaz Patel.

Bangladesh lost two more batsmen while crossing the 50-run mark as skipper Mahmudullah lost his wicket for 3 runs and Afif Hossain was dismissed by Patel for a golden duck.

Mushfiqur Rahim is the only batsmen in this innings who showed some resistance remaining not out till the end.

However, Bangladesh are leading 2-1 after winning the first two matches and need one more win to secure the first-ever series holders against the Kiwis.