Allen, Latham shine as New Zealand secures consolation win over Bangladesh

Ajaz Patel and New Zealand pacers stuck to their plans as the visiting side won by 27 runs, Bangladesh won the series 3-2.

Spinner Ajaz Patel took two wickets as New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 27 runs for a consolation win in the fifth Twenty20 international in Dhaka on Friday.

Bangladesh rested four players, including allrounder Shakib Al Hasan and pacer Mustafizur Rahman, and New Zealand took advantage by opting to bat first and making an explosive start.

Finn Allen made 41 off 24 as New Zealand reached 50 in the sixth over. He hit left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, the host's best bowler in the previous match, for a consecutive four and six in the second over and treated pacer Shoriful Islam, one of the four changes, similarly. Finn smashed three sixes and four boundaries.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary

 

When Rachin Ravindra was run out for 17 and Finn dismissed by Shoriful in the same over, New Zealand stalled until Latham provided a prosperous finish.

Latham struck two fours and as many sixes and was supported by Henry Nicholls (20) and Cole McConchie (17 not out). They helped New Zealand reap 54 off the last five overs.

The Kiwi bowlers then ripped through the Bangladesh top order.

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, 2-21, gave it early control while Ben Sears (1-21) worried the batsmen with genuine pace.

At 46-4 in the ninth over, Bangladesh hit back through captain Mahmudullah and Afif Hossain. The duo combined for 63 off 43.

Fast bowler Scott Kuggelejin (2-23), one of three changes by New Zealand, had Mahmudullah caught by Allen for 23 to break the partnership.

Patel came back in his second spell to dismiss Nurul Hasan for 4, and edge the side closer to victory.

Afif was stranded on 49 off 33 with two fours and three sixes.

"It's great to finish the tour on a high, we were able to place all the pieces together after coming close in the first four games of the series," said Latham, who was adjudged Player of the Match. "It was a good surface, the openers set the platform, they played with freedom and allowed the middle-order to take their time and finish well in the back-end. The bowlers have been fantastic all series and again they showed their learning from the previous games."

"Disappointed at losing, but they played well, got a good score which we couldn't chase down, but happy to have won the series. The bowlers did well, we didn't finish well, but they bowled their hearts out," said Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah.

Bangladesh won the five-match series 3-2.