Published: 09:24 AM, 03 May 2026
Bangladesh suffer defeat as New Zealand level T20 series by 1-1
Bangladesh's Shoriful Islam takes three early wickets against New Zealand at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday. -AFP
Bangladesh were handed a six-wicket defeat against a second-string New Zealand touring cricket team in the series deciding third match of T20 International at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a chasable 103 for win, the visitors reached their goal comfortably with 20 balls in hand in (DLS method) despite losing early wickets in the powrplay overs. With the win the visitors leveled the three-match T20 series by 1-1.
Bevon Jacobs was the star with unbeaten 31-ball 61 while Dean Foxcroft was not out on 15. But New Zealand were in early trouble during run chase as they lost four wickets in 33 runs. It was left Bevon Jacobs and Foxcroft to lift the innings.
Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam bagged three wickets for 19 runs.
Earlier, series deciding third match of T20 International between Bangladesh and New Zealand was reduced to 17-over after a spell of shower halted the game for two hours.
But Bangladesh could not overcame their batting meltdown as they were dismissed cheaply for 102 in 14.2 overs.
Only TowhidHridoy (33), Litton Das (26) and Saif Hassan (16) could reach the double digit. Josh Clarkson took three wickets for New Zealand.
Bangladesh found them in early trouble against New Zealand after a sudden batting collapse saw them lose three wickets in the space of 10 balls before rain interrupted play.
At the stoppage, Bangladesh were 50-3 in 6.4 overs, with Liton Das batting on 25 and TowhidHridoy on 2.
Earlier, New Zealand stand-in captain Nick Kelly won the toss and opted to field. Bangladesh, led by Liton Das, made one change, bringing in Mohammad Saifuddin for the injured TanzimHasanSakib.
Bangladesh began steadily, reaching 21 without loss in three overs. SaifHasan looked in good touch, striking two boundaries in the second over that yielded 12 runs. However, the momentum quickly shifted in New Zealand's favour.
Jaydon Lennox broke the opening stand in the fourth over, dismissing SaifHasan for 16 off 11 balls, caught at mid-off by Tim Robinson. Liton Das briefly counterattacked, hitting a four and a six in the same over.
The innings then unraveled in the fifth over. Nathan Smith bowled TanzidHasanTamim, before IshSodhi struck on the very next delivery to remove ParvezHossainEmon. TowhidHridoy survived the hat-trick ball, but Bangladesh lost three wickets for just 14 runs.
Rain arrived shortly after, forcing an interruption and leaving the match in an uncertain position.
Earlier, New Zealand captain Nick Kelly won the toss and chose to field, aiming to level the series. Bangladesh, led by Liton Das, made one change, bringing in Mohammad Saifuddin for the injured TanzimHasanSakib.
New Zealand also made two changes, with Jaydon Lennox and Ben Sears replacing Ben Lister and Matt Fisher.
The second T20 in Chattogram abandoned due to rain. Bangladesh lead the series 1-0 after winning the first match by six wickets, while they earlier clinched the ODI series 2-1.
Line Ups: Bangladesh: TanzidHasanTamim, Saif Hassan, Liton Das (c &wk), TowhidHridoy, ParvezHossain,ShamimHossainPatwari, Mohammad Saifuddin, MahediHasan, RishadHossain, Ripon Mondol, Shoriful Islam.
New Zealand: Katene Clarke, Tim Robinson, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly (c), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, IshSodhi, Jayden Lennox, Ben Sears
