Nicholls, Blundell guide NZ to 128

Henry Nicholls and Tom Blundell stitched together an unbroken partnership of 66 runs off 55 deliveries as New Zealand recovered from early blows to post a challenging total of 128 for five in the third T20I against Bangladesh in Mirpur on Sunday.

The two batsmen came to the crease at 62 for five in the 11th over and guided the visitors to the total, looking to keep Bangladesh from confirming a maiden T20 series win against them.  

Nicholls was unbeaten on 36 off 29 deliveries while Blundell managed a 30-ball 30. 

It was a good recovery for the visitors, but from Bangladesh's point of view the bowling effort were rather strange and unusual. The big names failed to make too much impact, with Shakib Al Hasan, looking to become the highest wicket-taker in the format, going wicketless. The left-arm spinner went for 24 off four overs as spin did not play a major part compared to the previous two matches.

Although Mahmudullah Riyad used spinners for four out of six overs in the Powerplay, it was evident soon that the pitch did not offer much assistance to the spinners. Apart from Shakib, Nasum Ahmed remained wicketless in two overs while the off-spin of Mahmudullah and Mahedi Hasan yielded a wicket each.

Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh's top strike bowler, did not have a great time either as he finished off with one wicket for 29 runs despite starting with a wicket-maiden. The most effective was Mohammad Saifuddin with two wickets for 28 runs.    

Earlier, New Zealand batsman Finn Allen returned to the team during the third T20I against Bangladesh after missing the first two matches due to Covid-19.

The opener made an attacking start to the innings, thrashing the two Bangladesh spinners -- Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed -- for three boundaries as New Zealand reached 16 for no loss in the first two overs upon electing to bat first.

Sensing danger, Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad brought on Mustafizur Rahman, and the plan paid instant dividend. The left-arm pacer, who went wicketless in the second match, struck with his first delivery, removing Allen (15 off 10) with a fuller delivery that the batsman chipped to mid-on. The Fizz ended the over as a wicket-maiden.

The two spinners returned while Shakib Al Hasan chipped in with one over, letting New Zealand to motor along to 41 for one at the end of the first powerplay. This match is being played on the pitch that the first T20I had taken place on, but there seems to be not much assist for the spinners, at least in the initial stage.

But then Mohammad Saifuddin was introduced into the attack and the all-rounder struck twice in the same over, removing Will Young and Colin de Grandhomme, reducing the Kiwis to 46 for three after seven overs.

Mahmudullah then struck the fourth blow, removing opener Rachin Ravindra for 20 as the visitors reached 60 for four at the end of the 10th over. Mahedi then got rid of New Zealand skipper Tom Latham for five, a simple catch back to the bowler as New Zealand looked in deep trouble before the rescue act from Nicholls and Blundell.