New Zealand joined Pakistan in the final of the tri-series after posting a 48-run win against Bangladesh in Christchurch. After Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips made quickfire sixties, Adam Milne and Michael Bracewell bowled effectively as the home side dominated with bat and ball. Bangladesh looked competitive with the bat but couldn't quite keep up with the pressure against the home side.
Milne's three wickets pegged back the visitors, with his pace making a difference. Bracewell and stand-in captain Tim Southee too finished with two wickets each. Shakib Al Hasan struck 70 off 44 balls, with eight fours and a six, but it was a lone effort.
New Zealand on the other hand, had plenty of big-hitting throughout their innings after they were put in.
Conway after Allen
Finn Allen started from where he left off against Pakistan in the previous game, going after Bangladesh's bowlers from the first over. He struck Ebadot Hossain for two sixes in three balls in the third over and hit three boundaries to get New Zealand off to a strong start. But Shoriful Islam removed Allen in the fifth over, when Yasir Ali moved slightly to his right at midwicket to catch the skier.
Conway then converted the promising start into a big score. The left-hander pushed ahead in his 82-run second wicket stand with Martin Guptill, hitting five fours and three sixes in his 40-ball 64. Guptil, too, looked good towards the end of his 27-ball 34.
Phillips puts the exclamation mark
New Zealand's top three handed Phillips the perfect platform to take aim at Bangladesh in the last five overs. He struck Shakib Al Hasan for two sixes - both slog-swept - in the 16th over. Mohammad Saifuddin removed Conway and Mark Chapman in the space of four balls in the following over. But Phillips carried on, slamming Shoriful Islam over wide long-on, and Saifuddin for consecutive sixes to reach a 19-ball half-century. Phillips' 250 strike-rate is the third highest by a New Zealand batter who scored more than 60 runs in a T20I innings.
More to follow…
Source: ESPNcricinfo