New Zealand beat Bangladesh in second Test match to level series

New Zealand beat Bangladesh in second Test

New Zealand beat Bangladesh: Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner held their nerves to help New Zealand chase down 137 runs on a difficult wicket for a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the rain-hit second Test on Saturday.

Phillips and Santner shared a 70-run partnership for the seventh wicket as New Zealand recovered from 69-6 to reach 139-6 on Day 4 to give the team their first win on Bangladeshi soil since 2008.

The home team, which won the first Test by 150 runs, is chasing their first victory in a Test series against the Black Caps.

Phillips, who hit a 72-ball 87 in the first innings, hit bowler Mehidy Hasan for a boundary through cover to confirm the win as he was not out on 40 off 48 after smashing four fours and a six. . Santner hit three fours and a six for his 39 balls and 35 not outs.

Phillips was instrumental in helping the team take an eight-run lead when New Zealand were bowled out for 180 in the first inning, in reply to Bangladesh’s 172.

Left-arm bowler Ajaz Patel then claimed 6-57 as Bangladesh were dismissed for 172 in their second inning, chasing a target of 137 runs for New Zealand to win the match.

“Obviously we didn’t get the big scores we’d like, but on a pitch like that, 20-30 partnerships here and there go a long way,” New Zealand captain Tim Southee said. “And Ajaz, in a spin-friendly condition, showed his class by picking up all six wickets.”

Mehidy Hasan had figures of 3-52, and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took 2-58, as Bangladesh kept hopes alive in an increasingly deteriorating field.

Pacer Shofirul Islam (1-9) broke through as he had Devon Conway (2) in the previous leg with a long delivery that stayed quite low.

Taijul came into action with a flying delivery that swung sharply to stump Kane Williamson (11) before Mehidy joined the party, extending Henry Nicholls’ (3) lean run.

At 33-3, Tom Latham scored 26, but his vigil came to an end when Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto took a fine catch at slip.

But Shanto grabbed the most crucial opportunity when he missed Phillips’ catch off Mehidy when he was on 0.

Taijul dismissed Tom Blundell for 2, and Mediy edged Daryl Mitchell, who scored 19, as Bangladesh closed in on victory.

Phillips gained confidence with the able support of Santner to secure a victory in Mirpur, which has long been considered Bangladesh’s stronghold.

ICC has declared the pitch of World Cup 2023 final as average