Bangladesh suffer another defeat against New Zealand

Captain Shakib Al Hasan produced a brilliant 44 ball-70 runs but that was not enough to save Bangladesh from a 48-run defeat at the hands of hosts New Zealand in their third match of the tri-nation series at Hagley Oval in Christchurch today.

Bangladesh's chance to move to final which was hanging on thread was ruined after this defeat, leaving their last match against Pakistan tomorrow (Thursday) a mere formality. New Zealand will take on Pakistan in the final on Friday.

Shakib's side earlier lost the first game to Pakistan by 21 runs before New Zealand crushed them by eight wickets in the second game.

Glenn Phillips struck a marauding 24 ball-60 and opener Devon Conway hit a fluent 40 ball-64 as New Zealand posted a mammoth 208-5 after being sent to bat first.

Apart from Shakib, no Bangladeshi batter however could produce a worthy performance, which was the reason for the side's big defeat. Shakib fought
lonely to reduce the margin of the defeat before Bangladesh finished with 160-7.

Liton Das who was back to his favourite opening position scored 23 but the opening pair between him and Najmul Hossain Shanto could last just 3.3 overs, further widely exposing the vulnerability of the Bangladesh's opening partnership.

Shanto played 12 balls to score 11 before fast bowler Adam Milne uprooted his stump with an express delivery.

Offspinner Michael Bracewell removed Liton before Milne attacked again to get rid of Soumya Sarkar, whose comeback innings ended on 23.

In form Afif Hossain then scored just 4 and got out, leaving Shakib alone to fight against the hostile pacers in demanding conditions. Shakib responded boldly but the wickets were tumbling at the other end, making his task difficult.

However he hit eight fours and one six in his knock before he was dismissed at the penultimate over.

Adam Milne ended with 3-24 while Tim Southee and Michael Bracewell picked up two wickets apiece.

For Bangladeshi bowlers Ebadot Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin, the two bowlers who came back into the side to play their first match in the tournament, snapped up two wickets apiece. Shoriful Islam took 1-41.

Shoriful struck first, removing dangerous Finn Allen after he hammered 19 ball-32, which studded with three fours and two sixes.

But Martin Guptill and Conway further thrashed Bangladeshi bowlers to keep the scoreboard ticking rapidly. Ebadot got the prized scalp for Guptill after his made 34 off 27.

Phillips who smashed five towering sixes and two fours in his herculean knock played a key role in propelling the side past 200 runs mark.