Market Desk online: Bangladesh finished win their fifth-match against New Zealand with a 27-run and now they have gained in confidence after three consecutive T20I series wins and winning those series is a real morale boost.
On the other hand, Bangladesh became whitewash by New Zealand in a three-match T20I series at the beginning of the year, now it’s just bounced back strongly in the scenario, clinching series wins with a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe. That was followed by 4-1 win over Australia and the latest 3-2 win over New Zealand at home.
T20I skipper Mahmudullah Riyad believes the wins will give his side a much-needed morale boost ahead of the start of the T20 World Cup mission, which starts from the qualifying round in Oman.
The pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka for the fifth match played much well compared to the preceding and the visitors posted 161 which is highest run by any team in the last ten T20I matches.
In reply, Bangladesh ended on 134 for 8 after 20 overs as their batting department continued to be an area of concern ahead of the World Cup with the top-order once again failing to provide a solid platform.
Bangladesh’s skipper credited New Zealand bowlers and added that losing early wickets proved costly in the end.
“I think bowlers did quite well but we didn’t finish well enough. We probably went for too many runs in the last couple of overs but the bowlers bowled their hearts out. The spinners bowled really well. Shoriful also picked up two early wickets and gave us the momentum to restrict them,” the 35-year-old said.
“It was a good wicket to bat on but I think we didn’t start well. The required run-rate kept climbing. Afif and I had a good partnership but I think New Zealand bowled and executed their plans really well.”
