Munro is ecstatic after scoring his maiden Twenty20 International century
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Colin Munro hammered a sparkling 101 to not only lead New Zealand to a 48-run win over Bangladesh in the second Twenty20 International in Mount Maunganui, but also hand them an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Choosing to bowl first, Bangladesh got off to the best possible start as captain Mashrafe Mortaza dismissed opener Luke Ronchi on the very first ball of the match.
Just as New Zealand were beginning to rebuild their their appalling start, Bangladesh struck twice in quick succession as captain Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson was removed for 12 and four respectively.
Despite finding themselves in a spot of bother at 46/3 in the sixth over, New Zealand bounced back courtesy of Munro and Tom Bruce’s 123-run partnership, during which Munro brought up his maiden Twenty20 International hundred.
With the hosts having clawed their way back into the game, Bangladesh were becoming increasingly frustrated as they were quickly letting the match slip out of their grasp.
Rubel Hossain provided the breakthrough the tourists desperately needed as he had Munro caught behind for a career-best 101, which came off 54 balls and included seven boundaries and seven sixes.
Even though New Zealand lost a flurry of wickets once Munro was back in the pavilion, Bruce held his own and went on to score an unbeaten 59, which came off 39 deliveries and included five boundaries and a six, as the Black Caps finished on 195/7 off their 20 overs.
Bruce scored his first Twenty20 International fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Rubel was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan and Mossadek Hossain chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 196 to win, Bangladesh were in trouble from the get-go and were quickly reduced to 36/3 in the fifth over.
Sabbir Rahman and Soumya Sarkar stabilised the innings with a 68-run partnership before Sarkar was sent packing by Trent Boult for 39.
Sabbir fell shortly after for 48 and once he was gone, Bangladesh completely collapsed as they went from 118/5 to being bowled out for 148.
Ish Sodhi was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Williamson and Ben Wheeler took two wickets apiece. Boult and Mitchell Santner, meanwhile, claimed one wicket each.
Munro was named Man of the Match.