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Bangladesh have beaten the BLACKCAPS by seven wickets and taken a two-nil lead in the series at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
Captain Shakib Al Hasan’s decision to bowl proved to be the right one as his side restricted the BLACKCAPS to 173 in 43rd over - their lowest total against Bangladesh.
It was a horror start for the tourists, losing Brendon McCullum in the first over for a duck.before a bit of resistance came from Jesse Ryder and BJ Watling who put on 55 for the second wicket.
However, the wicket of Watling for 20 sparked a collapse that saw the BLACKCAPS crumble from 55 for one to 79 for five in the space of 9.4 overs. Ryder hit 33, Grant Elliott just two and skipper Daniel Vettori 14.
The next 10.3 overs weren’t flash either with Shannan Stewart (14) and Nathan McCullum (2) falling as Ross Taylor searched for a partner who was willing to stick around.
Kyle Mills came to the crease in a bullish mood and along with Taylor managed to wrestle back some momentum with a 72 run partnership. Mills struck three sixes in his 26 but when he holed out it was all over as the two tail enders, Tim Southee and Andy McKay, failed to trouble the scorers.
Taylor was solid, lashing three fours and five sixes in his resolute 62 not out but his team mates left him stranded with more than seven overs to spare.
The Bangladesh attack was impressive with all bowlers making their way into the wickets column.
Suhrawadi Shuvo was the pick of the bunch with three for 14 off 10 overs while Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Mahmudullah chipped in with two apiece.
In reply, the Bangladesh batsmen had no trouble with openers Imrul Kayes and Shahriar Nafees making it look easy as the pair put 127 runs for the first wicket.
It is the highest partnership for any wicket against New Zealand and was broken when Nafees hit Nathan McCullum to his brother Brendon at mid-off for a brilliant run-a-ball 73.
Nathan McCullum had his second in his next over when Kayes was caught at extra cover for 50, reducing Bangladesh to 134 for two.
Andy McKay picked up the late wicket of Junaid Siddique but it was in vain as the hosts romped home with ten overs to spare.
With Bangladesh winning the first match and the second rained out the best the BLACKCAPS can hope to win the last two matches and draw the series.
