NZ v BAN, 2nd T20I Review: Munro, Sodhi help New Zealand seal the series

New Zealand continued their domination against Bangladesh and after drubbing them 3-0 in the ODI series, they have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3 match T20I series virtue a comprehensive victory in the 2nd encounter at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Courtesy a brilliant century by Colin Munro, the hosts posted 195 after Kane Williamson lost the toss. Rubel Hossain was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers and finished with figures of 3/37 in his 4 overs.

Bangladesh began poorly and despite a good partnership between Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman for the 5th wicket, they kept losing wickets at regular interval and was eventually bowled out for 148 in the 19th over. The last four Bangladeshi wickets fell within 4 runs. Now with the series already pocketed, New Zealand can field some new names in the 3rd encounter at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and elected to field. The hosts got off to the worst possible start losing Luke Ronchi in the very first ball of the match. It was not a terrific delivery by any stress of imagination by Mortaza but Ronchi failed to keep his backfoot punch along the ground which was safely grabbed by Mosaddek Hossain standing in the backward point position.

In came Colin Munro and the whole complexion of the game changed. He struck a boundary of Mortaza in that over and followed it up with two more boundaries in the next over. Mortaza was again at the receiving end in the very next over where Munro struck the veteran fast bowler for a six and a four. Cutter Specialist Mustafizur Rahman wasn’t spared either. The most consistent bowler for Bangladesh in the series Shakib Al Hasan triggered a mini collapse by getting rid of Man-in-form Kane Williamson in the 5th over and Mosaddek added another in a matter of minutes by dismissing hard-hitting Corey Anderson in the very next over.

Also read: New Zealand v Bangladesh, 2nd T20I: 5 Talking Points

Despite the fall of two wickets, there was no respite for the Bangladesh bowlers as Munro kept going hammers and tongs. He struck Mosaddek Hossain for two monstrous sixes in the 8th over. Shakib wasn’t spared either as Munro struck the experienced left-arm orthodox spinner for a couple of sixes in the 12th over. Munro went berzerk in the 13th over of Mahmudullah Riad as he smashed the off-spinner for 28 runs in the 13th over. He struck 3 sixes and two fours in that over itself. Munro continued his prowess and completed a brilliant century in the 16th over. He was dismissed in the next over by Rubel Hossain but by then he had taken New Zealand to a position of strength. The hosts eventually finished at the score of 195/7 in their 20 overs.

Chasing a stiff target of 196, the visitors began in a terrible fashion by losing Imrul Kayes in the 4th delivery of the innings. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner bowled a beautifully flighted delivery and Kayes attempted a slog sweep. But the ball dipped which meant Kayes was unable to find the middle of the bat and skewed it straight to Tom Bruce stationed in the deep mid-wicket region. Tamim Iqbal struck two delightful shots in the very next over of Trent Boult and his partner Sabbir Rahman followed it up with a humungous six of de Grandhomme. But an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration from the Bangla batsmen hurt them dearly as Tamim was run out by Kane Williamson.

Shakib too was dismissed in the very next over of Ben Wheeler and it looked again that a series loss was on the cards but Sabbir Rahman and Soumya Sarkar shared an impressive 66 runs stand for the 5th wicket to reignite hope for the visitors. While Sarkar struck 3 fours and two sixes during his 26 balls 39, hard-hitter Sabbir Rahman smashed three fours and three sixes during his whirlwind innings of 48 of 32 balls. But just when Bangladesh felt they were in with a sniff, both the set batsmen Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman was dismissed in quick succession. Mahmudullah Riad though played well for his 15 balls 19 which contained a huge six but was unable to keep the visitors in the hunt. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and was eventually bowled at in the 18th over handing New Zealand a comprehensive victory by 47 runs. Ish Sodhi was the wrecker-in-chief as far as New Zealand were concerned and returned with figures of 4/36 in 4 overs.

But just when Bangladesh felt they were in with a sniff, both the set batsmen Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman was dismissed in quick succession. Mahmudullah Riad though played well for his 15 balls 19 which contained a huge six but was unable to keep the visitors in the hunt. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and was eventually bowled at in the 18th over handing New Zealand a comprehensive victory by 47 runs. Ish Sodhi was the wrecker-in-chief as far as New Zealand were concerned and returned with figures of 4/36 in 4 overs.

Brief Scores

New Zealand 195/7 in 20 overs (Colin Munro 101, Rubel Hossain 3/37)

Bangladesh 148 all out in 18.1 overs

New Zealand won by 47 runs