Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by 6 wickets in the fourth T20 match to seal the five-match series in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The skipper Mahmudullah with an unbeaten 43 runs guided the hosts 96-4 in the 19th over after the four wickets each from left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman helped them bowl out the black caps for 93 runs in 19.3 overs.
The visitors had a chance to win once the off-spinner Cole McConchie dismissed opener, Liton Das, early and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel struck twice in the same over leaving Bangladesh crumbling at 32-3.
But Mahmudullah denied New Zealand further opportunity with two sixes and a four in his 48 ball innings and sealed the contest with 6 wickets in hand to give Bangladesh their first-ever series win over New Zealand in T20 format.
Mahmudullah in his post-match interview hailed the bowlers for the win. He said, “The bowlers did a great job once again to keep New Zealand to a low total. All the bowlers, Nasum, Mahedi, Mustafizur, bowled well. The batters tried their best,” the skipper said. “We just needed a good partnership in the middle and Naim and I tried that.”
The New Zealand skipper Tom Latham said that they were under pressure adding that they did not perform well. He added, “they had the game under control. The way Mahmudullah finished, credit to them.”
Bangladesh has won three of the first four matches played in the five-match series and the fifth and final match will be played on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
