NZ v BAN, 2nd Test Review: New Zealand surged to a clean sweep

Chasing a modest 109, New Zealand punched, pulled and flayed on their way to an emphatic win and Bangladesh only had themselves to be blamed, as they failed to lift up their game when mattered the most. Both the openers Tom Latham (41*) and Jeet Raval (33) guided Kiwis chase without much noise, building on a half-century stand before the latter was caught in two minds. Colin de Grandhomme (33*) fancied his chances, went after the visitor’s bowling attack, whacking two consecutive sixes to secure a 9-wicket victory for the hosts.

The one thing that didn’t change through out the Test match, is Bangladesh’s missed chances. The 4th day morning was no different. Kamrul Islam Rabbi’s delivery to Tim Southee in the 74th over was edged to the second slip, only to see Mehedi Miraz putting it down.

New Zealand added 94 runs in the play, as Henry Nicholls, resuming from his overnight score of 56, played a vital knock of 98, missing out on scoring his maiden Test century by just two runs, as he got cleaned up by Miraz. Shakib-al-Hasan picked Southee to add to his previous three sticks and finished with figures of 4/50. The last wicket dismissal was plagued with controversy as Neil Wagner was a tad absent-minded and forgot to ground his bat after almost completing the second run. The umpires went upstairs and Nurul Hasan’s presence of mind meant New Zealand had to settle for 354.

The hosts did not let the visitors breathe easy afterwards, with Southee’s short ball getting the better of Tigers skipper Tamim Iqbal, who had a forgettable outing with the bat. Soumya Sarkar on the other hand, got on top of the ball on most occasions and eased into his shots. Bangladesh’s score reached 50 in the 20th over but Sarkar’s stay was cut short by Colin de Grandhomme. The bowler could have added new man Shakib-al-Hasan’s name to his list in the same over but Jeet Raval dropped the chance.

The Bangladesh’s all-rounder failed to take advantage of the drop catch and smacked one straight to deep point, becoming Southee’s 200th Test victim. Raval had a bad day standing at slips, as he dropped one more later but Bangladesh didn’t make him rue as they soon tottered to 106/7.

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Taskin Ahmed (33 off 30 balls) and Rabbi (25* off 29 balls) entertained the patient crowd with a flurry of sixes and boundaries afterwards, adding 51 runs for the ninth wicket. Taskin survived a caught behind decision, using the DRS to good effect. He swivelled around and expressed himself while on the other hand, Rabbi took a liking for the faster ones, connecting mostly for boundaries.

Bangladesh soon folded for 173, giving the hosts a humble target of 109 to wrap up the series. Boult, Southee and Wagner picked up three a piece, whereas, for the visitors, it was Mahmudullah who top scored with 38.

Brief Scores:

Bangladesh: 289 and 173 (Mahmudullah 38, Wagner 3/44)

New Zealand: 354 and 111/1 in 18.4 overs ( Latham 41*, Rabbi 1/21)

New Zealand won by 9 wickets

Man of the match: Tim Southee (New Zealand)