Black Caps better but still beaten in second T20

The Black Caps have come up just short of victory in the second T20 cricket international against Bangladesh.

Tom Latham.
Photo: www.photosport.nz

Despite an impressive innings from captain Tom Latham, New Zealand were five runs shy of their 142-run target in Dhaka.

Latham was comfortably the top-scorer of the match, finishing 65 not out from 49 balls in the visitors total of 137-5.

Rolled for just 60 in a seven-wicket defeat in the opening match of the series, the skipper’s impressive knock meant New Zealand started the final over needing 20 runs for a big bounce-back win.

That became eight from two balls when Latham edged a Mustafizur Rahman beamer to the boundary but the Bangladeshi seamer composed himself to ensure the home side went 2-0 up.

Earlier, young all-rounder Rachin Ravindra took three wickets, while fellow spinners Ajaz Patel and Cole McConchie also bowled well as Bangladesh posted 141-6 from their 20 overs after winning the toss.

Latham came to the crease in the third over of the Black Caps chase and a 43-run partnership with Will Young (22) for the third wicket stabilised the chase after the early loss of Ravindra (10) and Tom Blundell (6).

Senior players Colin de Grandhomme (8) and Henry Nicholls (6) were unable to provide sustained support to Latham and when the latter fell New Zealand needed 50 runs from 27 balls.

A late flurry from the captain was almost enough before Bangladesh eventually ensured they would have the chance to wrap up the series in Sunday night’s third match.