MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand: New Zealand secured a 17-run victory over Bangladesh in a rain-affected third Twenty20 international, leveling the series at 1-1. The hosts, after dismissing Bangladesh for 110 in Mount Maunganui, faced a top-order collapse, finding themselves at 49-5. However, all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and Captain Mitchell Santner orchestrated a recovery, reaching 95-5 off 14.4 overs before heavy rain halted play.
Captain Santner played a pivotal role, taking four wickets for 16 runs in his four overs. His impressive performance stifled Bangladesh’s innings, which was already struggling at 41-3 when Santner was introduced.
The drawn T20 series denied Bangladesh a historic first series victory on New Zealand soil in any format, following their 2-1 loss in the preceding ODI series. Besides Santner, seamers Tim Southee, Adam Milne, and Ben Sears also made valuable contributions, each taking two wickets. Milne removed Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 17, a significant breakthrough.
Finn Allen scored 38, and Neesham’s unbeaten 28 anchored New Zealand’s innings. The match was halted due to heavy rain, and New Zealand was comfortably ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern target at that point. The drawn series follows Bangladesh’s win in the first T20 in Napier and the abandonment of the second match after 11 overs due to rain in Mount Maunganui.
