BAN VS NZ 4TH T20I

That's your lot for the day. Bangladesh bounced back to seal the deal with one match to go. The 5th T20I of this series will be played on Friday, 10th September 2021 at 4 pm local (10 am GMT). Do join us for all the action. Cheers!

Mahmudullah, the victorious captain of Bangladesh, starts by saying that the bowlers did a great job to restrict New Zealand. Praises Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan for their bowling and is impressed with the efforts of all the bowlers. Adds that the batters tried hard and they just needed a partnership. Mentions that Mohammad Naim batted very well and Afif Hossain was also excellent during his stay. Tells us that they wanted to take the chase deep and then take it forward. Credits all the boys and the team management for showing the hunger to win the series here. Signs off by saying that there is one more game left and that offers them the opportunity to regroup and work on areas to improve.

Nasum Ahmed is given the Player of the Match award. Says that he is delighted to win the series. Tells that his captain believes in him and gives him the freedom to plan his bowling. Adds that he concentrates on bowling accurate lines and doesn't think about anything else.

Tom Latham, the Kiwi skipper, says that they were slightly under par with their batting. Credits the way Bangladesh batted this evening as they had the chase under control despite losing wickets. Praises Mahmudullah for his knock and feels that Bangladesh managed to build a couple of partnerships. Mentions that Will Young batted superbly but losing wickets in clumps made it hard for them. States that they have been able to adjust to the conditions and they will take all the positives forward. Tom hopes to finish the series 3-2.

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The prime reason for New Zealand's defeat this evening was their flavourless batting. After batting so responsibly in the last match, the hopes were high from their batters. But apart from Will Young, no one succeeded and the Black Caps managed only 93 runs on the board. Still, their bowlers fought hard to drag this match into the last over. Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra were exceptional in their spells and had New Zealand got a score of 115-120, this could have been a thrilling game.

The victory didn't come easy to Bangladesh. They had to work hard for every run. Liton Das departed early but Mohammad Naim held one end strongly. The hosts were in a spot of bother in the sixth over when Ajaz Patel removed both Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in quick succession. The Kiwis had a sniff at that moment but the arrival of Mahmudullah to the crease brought calmness and his partnership of 34 runs with Naim was enough to keep Bangladesh's chase on track. The run out of Naim offered New Zealand an opening with 27 runs needed off 33 balls but they didn't take it. Mahmudullah's stumping was missed by Tom Latham when the hosts required another 20 runs. After that, it was an easy march towards the target for the Bangla Tigers. A hard-earned win for them to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series and this is also their first series win against New Zealand in T20Is.

Bangladesh have done it! They have tamed yet another team coming from Down Under. After successfully beating Australia in a T20I series recently, they have thumped New Zealand as well. The Bangla Tigers are building great momentum before the T20 World Cup. On the right path.

FOUR! That's it! Bangladesh have won the series with one game to spare! Tossed up outside off, Mahmudullah goes down on one knee and swings it over mid-wicket for a boundary. BANGLADESH WIN BY 6 WICKETS! Their dugout is ecstatic.

Full on middle, Mahmudullah drives it to long on for a single. Just 2 needed in the last over.

Short on middle, Hossain looks to pull but edges it onto his pads. The ball deflects to square leg and they take a run.

The physio comes out for the mandatory concussion check. Afif Hossain is smiling and is looking fine to continue. Another 4 needed for a win.

That hits the helmet! Ouch! Short ball around off, Hossain looks to fend it off by going on his toes but misses and gets hit on the helmet. Mahmudullah looks for a run but then decides against it as Blair Tickner is quick to reach the ball.

Good length around outside off, Mahmudullah makes room and then slashes it to third man for a single.

Slower ball outside off, Mahmudullah looks to force it on the off side but misses.

SIX! This should seal the deal! Tickner bowls it in the slot on off, Mahmudllah smacks it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Just 5 needed now.

Blair Tickner to bowl now.