New Zealand seal big win as Tigers folded for 76

Finn Allen’s destructive 71 followed by Todd Astle’s 4-13 helped New Zealand to crush Bangladesh in their 65-run win in the third and final T20I at Eden Park in Auckland on Thursday.

Chasing a mammoth total of 142 in 10 overs, Bangladesh bundled out at 76 in just 9.3 overs. Tigers lost early wickets of opener Soumya Sarkar and captain Liton Das, who came to bat at number 3.

Both Soumya and Liton have been removed by Kiwi skipper Tim Southee in the very first over. Soumya scored 10 off 4 while Liton has to go back to the pavilion without scoring any run.

Spinner Todd Astle picked up Mohammad Naim (19) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (8) in his first over and Afif Hossain (8) and Mahedi Hasan (0) in his second over. He ended with a figure of 4-13 in his two overs.

At one stage, Bangladesh were 65-8 after 7.1 overs as Adam Milne bowled Shoriful Islam (6) out with a superb delivery and Lockie Ferguson removed Taskin Ahmed (5).

Finally, Bangladesh ended with 76 and can’t even play the reduced 10 overs of the match.

Skipper Tim Southee picked up three wickets for the Kiwi while Adam Milne and Lockie Ferguson claimed one for each. 

Earlier, New Zealand posted 141-4 in 10 overs as both of the openers have blasted. Martin Guptill scored 44 off just 19 while Finn Allen made 71 off just 29 with the help of 10 fours and 3 sixes.

Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bowl first. Liton Das is the captain of the Bangladesh side as regular T20I skipper Mahmudullah Riyad ruled out of the game due to a strained left thigh. Bangladesh made three changes in the squad.

The match has been reduced to 10-over-a-side forced by a long delay due to the rain.

New Zealand have clinched the T20I series by 3-0 followed by the ODI series win.

ARR