Dhaka, Bangladesh: Captain Tom Latham smashed an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls as New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 27 runs in their fifth and final T20I on Friday. However, Bangladesh won the series 3-2. Latham’s second half-century in the series was crucial in helping New Zealand post a respectable score of 161-5 in slightly better batting conditions. Bangladesh remained short at 134-8, with Afif Hossain alone scoring an unbeaten 49.
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Bangladesh rested four players including all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and pacer Mustafizur Rahman and New Zealand decided to bat first and made an explosive start. Finn Allen scored 41 off 24 as New Zealand reached 50 in the sixth over. He hit the hosts’ best bowler in the previous match, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed for consecutive fours and sixes in the second over, and behaved in a similar fashion with pacer Shorful Islam, one of four variations. The Finn hit three sixes and four fours.
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When Rachin Ravindra was run out for 17 and the Finn was dismissed by Shoreful in the same over, New Zealand held on until Latham provided a rich finish. Latham hit two fours and as many sixes and was supported by Henry Nicholls (20) and Cole McConchie (17 not out). He helped New Zealand score 54 runs in the last five overs.
After this the Kiwi bowlers shattered the Bangladesh top order. Left-arm spinner Ejaz Patel 2-21 gave him early control while Ben Sears (1-21) worried the batsmen with real pace. Bangladesh added 63 for 43 in the ninth over at 46-4 through skipper Mahmudullah and Afif Hossain.
In one of New Zealand’s three changes, pacer Scott Kuggeleijn (2-23) broke the partnership after Mahmudullah was caught by Allen for 23. Patel dismissed Nurul Hasan for 4 in his second spell and took the team closer to victory. Afif remained trapped for 33 runs on 48 runs with the help of two fours and three sixes.
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