Press Trust of India
Kolkata, March 26: New Zealand produced another clinical performance to record a crushing 75-run victory over Bangladesh in their final group game to end with an all-win record in Group 2.
New Zealand’s win meant Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s (5/22) bowling effort went in vain at the iconic Eden Gardens. In spite of the left-arm pacers effort, New Zealand still managed a competitive 145 for eight and then dismissed the opposition for a paltry 70 in 15.4 overs. It was Bangladesh’s lowest total in the T20I format.
The Bangladesh batsmen put up a horror show after opener Tamim Iqbal (3) was brilliantly run out by Colin Munro in the second over. Their previous lowest of 78 all out, incidentally, was against the same team in Hamilton.
Ish Sodhi (3/21) and Grant Elliott (3/12) dented Bangladesh’s chase as their batsmen showed complete lack of application. Bangladesh will, thus, return home winless from the sixth edition of the mega event.
Earlier, Mustafizur dismissed openers Henry Nicholls (7) and Kane Williamson (42, 32b, 5×4, 1×6) and was deadly with his variation. He returned to bowl at the death and completed a fine display with two wickets in successive balls.
Despite Mustafizur’s incisive bowling, skipper Mashrafe Mortaza opted for a defensive strategy, and that allowed Williamson and Colin Munro (35, 33b, 1×4, 2×6) to keep the scoreboard ticking. Ross Taylor (28, 24b, 2×4, 1×6) also played a fine cameo to take New Zealand to a total which proved enough.
Bangladesh also had a mixed outing in the field, dropping two regulation catches to go with their two fine efforts by Shuvagata Hom and Mohammad Mithun to dismiss Elliott (9) and Taylor.
Brief scores: New Zealand 145 for 8 (Kane Williamson 42, Mustafizur Rahman 5/22) beat Bangladesh 70 in 15.4 overs (Grant Elliott 3/12, Ish Sodhi 3/21) by 75 runs.
