Alesha Mart T20 series
Bangladesh VS New Zealand 
2nd Match played at Maclean Park, Napier, New Zealand 
New Zealand 173/5 in 17.5 Overs (Glen Philips 58*, Daryl Mitchell 34 *, Martin Guptill 21, Mahedy Hasan 2/ 45) 
Bangladesh 142/7 in 16 Overs against DRS Target of 170 (Soumya Sarkar 51, Mohammad Naim 38, Mahmudullah Riad 21, Tim Southee 2/21, Hamish Bennett 2/ 31, Adam Milne 2/34) 
Bangladesh lost by 28 runs
New Zealand lead The series 2-0 
Player Of The Match: Glen Phillips 

In the rain interrupted 2nd T20 match played at Maclean Park Napier Bangladesh was set a steep target of scoring 170 in 16 overs after New Zealand innings stopped by rain at 173/5 in 17.5 overs.  Brave batting of Soumya and Naim for a while looked like the match creating nail biting finish. But Bangladesh does not possess the depth in batting in absence of Tamim at the top, Shakib and Mushfique in the middle. So the best of Bangladesh could reach 142/7 in 16 overs. Bangladesh lost by 28 runs. Bangladesh also does not have the power hitters to muscle sixes and fours in closing overs. New Zealand winning two of 3 matches series already wrapped up the series. Another possibility of series white wash loomed. Bangladesh has lost matches against New Zealand so far in all formats. 

The day was cloudy. In the day night match Bangladesh won the match and elected to field. Mahmudullah thought that his pacers would exploit the conditions and the bouncy pacey wicket. He also thought that rain interruption would advantage Bangladesh batting second. Rain interrupted few times during New Zealand Innings. Bangladesh made some early inroads removing Finn, Guptil and Conway.  Shoriful Taskin, Mehedy bowling tight kept a tight leash on New Zealand batsmen. But after second rain interruption Bangladesh bowlers lost control as Phillips and Mitchhell ruthlessly punished them taking their score to sky high at 173/5 in 17.5 Overs. Phillips remained unbeaten on 58 scored of 31 deliveries while Mitchell finished not out at 34 in only 16 deliveries. Mehedi took 2/45. Shoriful was the most impressive bowler taking 1/16 in his 3 overs.

Bangladesh was set a tall target of 170 to be scored in 16 overs in Duckworth Lewis calculation. At one stage the commentators mentioned the target as 148. Bangladesh lost Liton early.  A very enterprising 2nd wicket partnership 81 between fluent Naim (38) and Flamboyant Soumya (51) at one stage rattled Black caps a bit. But as soon as Soumya and Naim got out it became impossible for Bangladesh to keep the momentum. The best of Bangladesh could go as far as 142 /7 in 16 overs still 28 runs in arrear. New Zealand winning the match wrapped up the series 2-0.

The fact that Bangladesh does not have power hitters to muscle quick runs in death overs or fast bowlers unleashing toe crushing Yorkers were evidenced again. 

New Zealand now have so many options, so many quality batsmen, pace and spin bowlers, horses for the courses. The quality between the two teams is vast. Yet Bangladesh fought bravely and created contests in the match. 

BDST: 1807 HRS, MAR 30, 2021
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