Tigers seal maiden T20I series win over Kiwis

With the help of disciplined bowling by left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and pacer Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh clinched the five-match T20 International series against New Zealand with a six-wicket victory in the fourth match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Both of the bowlers claimed four wickets, with Nasum’s four for 10 being his career-best bowling. Mustafizur conceded just 12 runs in 3.3 overs for his four wickets.

The combined effort of the due dismissed New Zealand for just 93 in 19.3 overs but the victory of Bangladesh was not as clinical as it was anticipated.

The hosts had to play till the last over to confirm the victory with captain Mahmudullah Riyad scored a boundary to bring the score 96-4 in 19.1 overs.

Mahmudullah was unbeaten on 43 off 48 with one four and two sixes and saved the side from the blushes which was on the cards after Ajaz Patel left Bangladesh reeling to 32-3 in sixth overs.

Bangladesh won the first two matches by seven wickets and four runs before tasting a 52-run to New Zealand in the third game.

For New Zealand, Will Young battled lonely to score 46 off 48, clobbering five fours and one six.

This was the second time New Zealand being dismissed below 100, with their 60 in the first match remaining their joint-lowest ever T20 International score.

ARR