Bangladesh suffer 8-wicket defeat as New Zealand complete ODI series sweep

2016 has ended with a crushing eight-wicket defeat for the Tigers in their third ODI against New Zealand who made a clean sweep of the series .

A century stand between openers Tamim Iqbal (55) and Imrul Kayes (44) could not save Bangladesh as yet another dramatic collapse left Bangladesh reeling after electing to bat at Nelson’s Saxton Oval on Saturday.

Nurul Hasan, the wicketkeeper-batsman replacing injured Mushfiqur Rahim in the playing eleven, put up a late fight to help Bangladesh reach 236 for 9 in their fight to salvage some pride in their first overseas tour after two years.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson (95 not out) then fashioned a colossal 179-run second-wicket stand with Neil Broom (97) and coasted to a facile win with 8.4 overs to spare.

Broom, however, was dropped by Imrul Kayes in the slips off Mustafizur Rahman when he was yet to open his account.

Young seamer Mustafizur (2-32) picked up the two wickets that fell in the New Zealand innings.

Tamim and Imrul gave Bangladesh the best possible start they could have hoped for.

The 102-run partnership gave a solid base for the tourists.

When the openers were at the crease, a total around 300 appeared achievable, if not probable.

The pair smashed 10 boundaries and a six between them, maintaining a good scoring rate to take Bangladesh past 100 in 21 overs.

A one-handed stunner from Neil Broom took out a wild-slogging Imrul to end the century stand and Bangladesh lost their way.

The middle-order once again fell in a heap in the mid overs, losing seven wickets for 77 runs as New Zealand wiped out the Tigers emphatically.

A short burst from Sabbir Rahman (19 off 14 balls), another failure from Mahmudullah (3) and a shocking swing of the willow from half-centurion Tamim blew the fine start to bits.

The slide continued as Shakib Al Hasan (18) ran himself out untimely. Youngster Mosaddek Hossain (11) and Tanbir Hayder (3) soon departed, leaving the team teetering on 179 for 7 in 40 overs.

Nurul showed resolve and scored a 39-ball 44 in a late assault to give the Bangladesh bowlers a total to bowl at.

New Zealand captain Williamson made bowling changes and employed his fielders with guile through the innings, much to the frustration of the batsmen who meekly caved in under pressure.

Spinner Mitchell Santner took 2 for 38 and pacer Matt Henry returned 2 for 53 for New Zealand. Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel, Jimmy Neesham chipped in with a wicket each.

Williamson himself bowled brilliantly. He returned 1-24 from eight overs. He then batted with vigilance and led his team from the front.

Bangladesh bowlers tightened the screws on New Zealand batsmen early on in their chase.

Mustafizur trapped Tom Latham (4) in his first over before Martin Guptill retired hurt with an injured hamstring in an eventful opening spell of the New Zealand innings.

In his next over, the 21-year-old pacer squared up Broom, New Zealand’s centurion in the last match, and found an edge. But Imrul spilled an easy catch in the first slip.

With Mustafizur and Mashrafe on from both ends, Williamson and Broom patiently played themselves in.

It was not long before Williamson got in the groove and began stroking the ball majestically to put even the good balls away for boundaries. Broom soon joined the act as the duo forged ahead past 100 in 19 overs.

Nothing seemed to be working for Mashrafe as even Shakib was hammered for 55 from his eight over.

With the pair easily picking out gaps, things then took a turn for the worse for Bangladesh with increasing misfields.  They soon shaved the target down to needing less than 50.

Mustafizur was brought back into the attack struck immediately to end Broom’s run-a-ball knock, thanks to a diving catch from Mashrafe in the gully. He studded his innings with 11 fours and a six.

There was a brief pause when New Zealand needed 2 runs to win with Williamson at the non-striker’s end on 95 laced with nine boundaries and a six.

But Jimmy Neesham (28) clubbed a four over long on to wrap it up in style.

Bangladesh will play three Twenty20 Internationals and two Tests next in the series.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh: 236/9 in 50 overs (Tamim 59, Imrul 44, Nurul 44; Henry 2/53, Santner 2/38)

New Zealand: 239/2 in 41.2 overs (Williamson 95*, Broom 97, Neesham 28*; Mustafizur 2/32)

Result: New Zealand win by 8 wickets

Series: New Zealand win 3-0

Man-of-the-Match: Kane Williamson