#thenewscompany – Left arm bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman lived up to the top billing as captures five Kiwis scalps to help Bangladesh restrict New Zealand to 145 for eight as they are to chase a difficult target for a consolation victory in ICC World Cup Twenty20 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.
New Zealand, who has already assured of a semifinal berth seems to have put on substantial total after skipper Kane Williamson led from the front with a blistering 42 off 32 balls after winning the coveted toss. Though New Zealander brought three spinners in their line up as the wicket is supposed to take spin but pace sensation Mustafiz had his own idea as he bagged with the figures of five for 22 slight chance for Tigers to redeemed themselves in their last group matches of this world cup.
New Zealand made two changes from the side that beat Pakistan on Tuesday, bringing in spinner Nathan McCullum in place of Adam Milne and calling up opener Henry Nicholls to give Martin Guptill a rest. Nicholls was the first to go, bowled by Rahman off a slower cutter with the score on 25.
Wiliamson had looked in good form in an innings that included five boundaries and a six before he was also sent back to the Eden Gardens’ dugout at the end of Rahman’s first spell. He was one of a number of the Black Caps’ top order who promised to post a big score but were out just as they built their platform. Colin Munro had been warming up for first substantial knock of the tournament. But three balls after lofting Al-Amin Hossain into the stands, he had his middle stump removed by the same bowler.
The veteran Ross Taylor also contributed 28 off 24 balls before being caught by Mohammad Mithun off Hossain. No other batsman got into double figures and Rahman bowled both Mitchell Santner and McCullum in his final over although his last ball was hammered for six by Mitchell McClenaghan. New Zealand have already qualified for next week’s semi-finals, but victory would ensure they complete the group stages with a 100 per cent record and top their pool.
Bangladesh, who lost their first three games, made no changes to the side that went down to a one-run defeat against India on Wednesday.
