New Zealand down Bangladesh by 28 runs to seal T20I series

New Zealand`s Ish Sodhi (R) celebrates the team`s victory with teammate Adam Milne (L) during the second Twenty20 cricket match between New Zealand and Bangladesh in Napier. Pic/AFP

New Zealand downed Bangladesh by 28 runs in a rain-affected second Twenty20 International in Napier Tuesday to secure the three-match series and complete a home sweep against all comers. New Zealand made 173 for five off 17.5 overs after losing the toss and batting, before the weather ended their innings prematurely. As a result, Bangladesh's run chase was set at 170 from 16 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern formula. There were bizarre scenes as Bangladesh began their innings without a clear target being set, then officials halted play after 1.5 overs while they worked out the sums.

"I've experienced a few things in cricket and this is not one of them," New Zealand veteran Ross Taylor said on commentary. The tourists made 142 for seven before the required run rate proved too much and their innings petered out. "In the last five or six overs we didn't finish well enough," Bangladesh skipper Mahmadullah said. "There were a few chances that we needed to capitalise on then we might have got away." Bangladesh will have a final chance to notch their first ever win in New Zealand on Thursday in Auckland. The result means the Black Caps have won all seven of their home series this season, an unbroken run of success on New Zealand soil that extends to nine if results against India last year are included.

It includes defeats over the West Indies, Pakistan and India in Tests, Bangladesh and India in one-dayers and the West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh in T20s. "It's been a great summer to be part of so it'd be good to finish it on the right note," said stand-in captain Tim Southee, who took the skipper's armband after Kane Williamson sat out the series. Mahmadullah said before the match that he was wary of "flying Kiwis" and openers Martin Guptill and Finn Allen proved him right, slogging 36 off the first four overs. But the Black caps were looking shaky at 55 for three before Glenn Phillips smashed an unbeaten 58 off 31 balls. In reply, Bangladesh lost Liton Das early but allrounder Soumya Sarkar went on the attack, notching a half-century off 25 balls before falling on 51. Phillips' part-time spin then slowed the run rate and was rewarded with the wicket of Mohammad Naim for 38, leaving Bangladesh struggling for runs.

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