Twitter Reactions: Clinical New Zealand tame Bangladesh to seal T20I series

Bangladesh’s horrid tour of New Zealand continued as they lost the second T20I by 28 runs under the DLS method at McLean Park in Napier on Tuesday, March 30. With this, the New Zealand team has won the three-match series 2-0 and will play the final match in order to keep their impeccable record against Bangladesh intact. 

Winning the toss early on, the visiting skipper Mahmudallah decided to choose to bowl first, on a wicket that didn’t have any demons in it. Even though the visitors picked up some crucial wickets within the first seven overs, the hosts kept chipping away with runs. All the top four New Zealand batsmen got starts but failed to convert it into a big one. 

As a matter of fact, with the score being at 94 for 4 from 11.4 overs, the Kiwis were in a spot of bother. Then there was an interruption due to rain, which was going only add to the miseries of the visitors and it surely did. New Zealand was at 111 for 5 after the play had resumed when Glenn Philips was joined by Daryl Mitchell. The duo destroyed the Bangladeshi attack and churned runs for fun. 

The Blackcaps pace trio and Philips ensure New Zealand didn’t face an upset

However, another rain interruption forced the match officials to call off the New Zealand innings at 173 for 5 in 17.5 overs. Phillips stayed unbeaten 58 runs off 31 balls while Mitchell made a handy contribution of 34 runs from 16 balls. The visitors were going to get a revised target due to rain interruptions, but what followed was the most bizarre thing to have happened in DLS history. 

Bangladesh was first given a target of 148 runs to chase from their 16 overs. The two openers came out to bat, managed to get through one over only to find that the revised target which was given wasn’t the accurate one. There was drama after the ninth ball in the innings. Eventually, the match referee announced Bangladesh actually needed to chase 170 runs from their 16 overs. 

The drama was like never seen before and in all trueness, this was the first time when something like this had happened. Bangladesh never looked in complete control of the chase. However, there was a serious attempt by Soumya Sarkar, who smashed 51 runs off 27 balls.

The visitors eventually ended with 142 for 7 in their 16 overs by when their target was again increased to 171. Adam Milne, Hamish Bennet and stand-in captain Tim Southee all picked up two wickets each.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Napier always witnesses unique breaks in play

Rain
Sun
Wrong Entry in DL calculator#NZvBAN

— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) March 30, 2021

How is it possible to start a run chase without knowing what you’re chasing? Crazy stuff. #NZvBAN

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) March 30, 2021

Seems to be a confusion with Bangladesh's target in Napier. They know its 148, but TV commentary says it is not confirmed.#NZvBAN

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) March 30, 2021

Bangladesh started batting before they know how many they have to score to win the game! What a terrible scene here! New Zealand's innings ended up on 173 for five in 17.5 overs. #NZvBAN

— Saif Hasnat (@saifhasnat) March 30, 2021

This is the first time New Zealand won their 7 consecutive international series. Their previous best is 6 in a row in 2015-16.

NZ series in this season:-
T20I v BAN (2-0)
ODI v BAN (3-0)
T20I v AUS (3-2)
Test v PAK (2-0)
T20I v PAK (2-1)
Test v WI (2-0)
T20I v WI (2-0)#NZvBAN

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) March 30, 2021

First International run for Finn Allen came with a reverse sweep. #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/iEG0o7VHrx

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 30, 2021

जैसा बांग्लादेश वालों के साथ मैच में हुआ, बस वैसी ही जिंदगी चल रही है. #NZvBAN

— Mohit Grover/ ‏‎‎موحِت /मोहित ग्रोवर/ਮੋਹਿਤ (@mohitgroverAT) March 30, 2021

There should be demerit points for match official's, referee's, umpires for poor signalling or things like this.
No DRS score before batting, then a wrong(170) then again corrected(171)#NZvBAN #Cricket #IPL #WIvSL #Dream11 @imVkohli sir would agree for sure, cut there fees too

— MrCricketSingh (@MrCricketSingh1) March 30, 2021

Wonder if there will be a proper investigation about how a DLS target went from 148 to 170 to 171 *AFTER* the team started the chase.#NZvBAN

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) March 30, 2021

Officials not able to calculate revised target before the start of second innings #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/g9USYR6ksM

— Yogi (@Yogic78) March 30, 2021

Well done Soumya Sarker. 57 out off 27 balls, excellent knock. Although tough chase for Bangladesh. Middle order can't carry out but good try for the chase from the Bangladesh side @BCBtigers #NZvBAN #T20

— Fazley Rabbi Shajib (@FazleyShajib) March 30, 2021