New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 47 runs

Colin Munro`s blistering ton led New Zealand to a series-clinching win over Bangladesh in their Twenty20 cricket international against Bangladesh in Mount Maunganui on Friday.

The left-hander smashed seven sixes and as many fours in registering 101 from just 54 balls as the Black Caps plundered 195-7 off their 20 overs at Blake Park after visiting skipper Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and sent his rivals in.

In reply, the tourists - yet to win on these shores - couldn`t produce a concerted challenge as they were rolled for 148 at the start of the 18th over, handing NZ a 47-run win.

Bangladesh`s chase initially mirrored New Zealand`s shaky start as they slumped to 36-3, but a quickfire partnership of 68 for the fourth wicket between Sabbir Rahman and Soumya Sarkar (39 off 26 balls; three fours and two sixes) kept initial interest in the contest.

Rahman made 48 from 32 balls, with three sixes and three fours, but the tourists needed someone to match Munro if they were to upset the form book.

Mitchell Santner - the pick of the home team`s bowlers - provided another highlight for the hosts, as the allrounder swooped in full flight to catch Mossadek Hossain following a rank long-hop from skipper Kane Williamson`s bowling.

Munro employed his trademark aggression from the outset and blazed away to compile the fourth individual T20 century for New Zealand and got great support from Tom Bruce, playing in his second match for his country.

The pair put on 123 for the fourth wicket in just over 11 overs, with Bruce no slouch either as he muscled his way to an unbeaten 59 off 39 balls (five fours and a six). It was New Zealand`s seventh-highest T20 team total.

While Munro and Bruce shone, Black Caps wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi could hardly have had a worse day.
Elevated to open, Ronchi`s innings lasted one ball and in the eighth over of Bangladesh`s chase, he pulled up lame when chasing the ball, forcing him from the field with a groin injury as Bruce took over keeping duties.
The final match of the three-game series will be played at the same venue on Sunday, with Ronchi a doubtful starter.

AT A GLANCE

New Zealand 195-7 (C Munro 101, T Bruce 59no; R Hossain 3-37) beat Bangladesh 148 (S Rahman 48, S Sarkar 39; I Sodhi 3-36) by 47 runs.

Source : New Zealand Herald