New Zealand T20I Tri-Series 2022 Review: Clinical New Zealand thump Bangladesh to storm into finals

New Zealand registered another comprehensive victory (48 runs) over Bangladesh in the fifth game of the ongoing  T20I Tri-Series 2022 and have qualified for the finals. Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips scored half-centuries to pile up a big total, while the bowlers did an excellent job for New Zealand.  

Earlier in the game, Bangladesh opted to bowl first after winning the toss as New Zealand openers, Finn Allen and Devon Conway went hard in the powerplay. Allen’s quickfire innings of 19-ball 32 came to an end in the fifth over while Conway capitalised on the good start.

Martin Guptill, who is used to opening, came in at number three and scored a 27-ball 34 while Conway reached yet another half-century in the series. He (Conway) was finally removed after his remarkable knock of 40-ball 64 which included three sixes. 

Phillips joined the party soon and he smacked a 24-ball 60 to boost the scoring rate enormously as New Zealand ended up with a massive total of 208 for 5 in their 20 overs. Mohammad Saifuddin was the only bowler for Bangladesh who went for under ten runs an over as they had a complete off day.  

Shakib al Hasan’s valiant knock goes in vain 

In reply, Bangladesh lost the wicket of Nazmul Hossain Shanto early while Litton Das and Soumya Sarkar found the boundaries in the powerplay consistently. Das perished after a 16-ball 23 and skipper Shakib-Al-Hasan got off the blocks quickly. The third wicket partnership yielded 43 runs in a short span and set the game for a magnificent run chase.  

However, once Sarkar was dismissed, Shakib ran out of partners with Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan and Yasir Ali failing to contribute much. It turned out to be a one man show from Shakib who played a lot of marvellous shots to keep his side on track, however, the task was too much to do on his own. After a 44 ball-70, Shakib was removed as Bangladesh fell short by 48 runs with three wickets remaining. Adam Milne was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 24 for the Kiwis.