Devon Conway, Michael Bracewell steamroll Bangladesh to give New Zealand maiden win in tri-series

New Zealand, on Sunday, October 9, opened their account in the ongoing tri-series after beating Bangladesh by eight wickets at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. They made a comeback after initially losing to Pakistan.

Conway, Bracewell steamroll Bangladesh to give New Zealand maiden win in tri-series. Courtesy: Reuters

By Sabyasachi Chowdhury: New Zealand, on Sunday, October 9, opened their account in the ongoing tri-series after beating Bangladesh by eight wickets at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

The Black Caps, on Saturday, lost to Pakistan by six wickets, but they made a strong comeback against the Tigers to register their maiden victory of the series.

After being put in to bat first, Bangladesh made a steady start, scoring 41 runs and losing Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s wicket in the powerplay. However, they were never able to step on the gas and eventually finished with 137 for the loss of eight wickets.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, who replaced Sabbir Rahman at the top, scored 33 off 29 before Ish Sodhi accounted for his wicket. Sodhi also became the fifth man to pick up 100 T20I wickets. Liton Das and Afif Hossain went at around a run-a-ball, but couldn’t press the accelerator.

Shakib Al Hasan, who made his comeback, surprisingly batted at No.7 and scored a run-a-ball 16. In the end, it was a cameo from Nurul Hasan Sohan that took the Tigers to a respectable score.

Sohan stayed unbeaten on 25 off 12 with the help of one four and two sixes. Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell and Sodhi picked up two wickets apiece for the Kiwis. But it was Bracewell, who was their standout bowler with an economy rate of 3.50.

The hosts started cautiously, scoring 24 runs for the loss of Finn Allens wicket in four overs. However, an 85-run stand between Devon Conway and Kane Williamson took the match away from Bangladesh.

When Hasan Mahmud got rid of Williamson, who made a 29-ball 30, the writing was already on the wall for the Tigers. Conway stayed unbeaten on 70 off 51 with seven fours and a six.

Glenn Phillips threw his bat around to score 23 off nine with two fours and two sixes apiece, helping New Zealand chase the target down with 13 balls to spare.