Sports Desk:

New Zealand marched to the final of the ongoing Tri-Series at home, beating Bangladesh by 49 runs on Wednesday in Christchurch.

Bangladesh failed to chase a massive total of 208 runs. It was Bangladesh’s third T20I defeat in a row. Before this match, they lost to Pakistan and New Zealand in their previous two matches.

New Zealand batted first today after losing the toss. Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips fired them to 208, smashing 64 and 60 respectively, on a ground that looked friendly to the batters.

Bangladeshi bowlers were never in a position to contain the runs. Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, conceded 40 runs but failed to bag any wickets. Shoriful Islam gave away 41 runs to take only one wicket.

While chasing, Bangladesh made a good start but the effort was not good enough to pose a challenge to the hosts. Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 11 playing 12 balls— he failed once again to prove his mettle in T20Is.

Both Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar made 23 each but they were unable to continue on the good start they managed. Liton fell prey to Michael Bracewell. The right-handed batter played to the leg side and got a lot of elevation but not enough to pass the boundary. He was taken at the deep midwicket region.

And Soumya was trapped by a short ball when he tried to play an uppercut. Trent Boult took a regulation catch at the third-man area to dismiss Soumya.

Shakib was the only Bangladeshi batter to offer some headache to the New Zealanders. He made 70 off 44 balls with eight fours and one six. It was his joined second-highest innings in T20Is. But his effort went in vain as the other batters failed to support the captain.

Despite Shakib’s heroics, New Zealand sealed the match quite comfortably, and thus they booked a place in Friday’s final.

It was yet another dismal show from Bangladesh in T20Is— their 10th defeat in the format this year out of 15 matches they have played.

Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and sent New Zealand to bat first.

Shoriful sent Allen back for 32 off just 19 balls, but Conway was firm in the middle. He made 64 off 40 balls with five fours and three sixes. Glenn surpassed Conway hitting 60 off just 24 balls with two fours and five sixes.

Mohammad Saifuddin and Ebadot Hossain, who were playing their first match in this event, took two wickets each but their efforts were not enough to strict New Zealand in a lower total.

Bangladesh made three changes in this match— adding Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Saifuddin and Ebadot Hossain replacing Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed.

Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in their last match of this Tri-Series— their last T20I before the T20 World Cup as well— on Thursday at 8 am (Bangladesh time).