New Zealand pose with the trophy after whitewashing Bangladesh 2-0

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand demolished Bangladesh by nine wickets after the tourists imploded on the fourth day of the second Test in Christchurch.

After the entire third day was washed out due to persistent rain, New Zealand resumed their innings on 260/7, but lost Tim Southee early on for 17.

Henry Nicholls and Neil Wagner frustrated Bangladesh with a 57-run partnership before Nicholls was clean bowled by Mehedi Hasan Miraz for 98, which came off 149 balls and included 12 boundaries.

New Zealand ended up being bowled out for 354, which gave them a 65-run lead, when Wagner was run out by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan for 26.

Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Mehedi and Kamrul Islam Rabbi snapped up two wickets apiece. Taskin Ahmed, meanwhile, chipped in with one wicket.

Trailing by 65 runs, Bangladesh struggled right from get-go and things didn’t get any better from there as they lost wickets regularly.

Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah made encouraging starts, but failed to go on as they were dismissed for 36 and 38 respectively.

With the middle order collapsing, late contributions from Taskin and Rabbi, who made 33 and 25 not out respectively, went in vain as Bangladesh were bundled out for 173, which set New Zealand a target of 109 to win.

Wagner, Southee and Trent Boult took three wickets apiece, while Colin de Grandhomme claimed one.

Chasing 109 to win, New Zealand got off to a solid start as openers Jeet Raval and Tom Latham amassed a 56-run partnership before Raval was clean bowled by Rabbi for 33.

Latham and De Grandhomme put together an unbeaten 55-run stand to lead the Black Caps to victory.

Latham finished on 41 off 59 balls, which included six boundaries and a six, while De Grandhomme remained undefeated on 33 off 15 deliveries, which included four sixes.

Rabbi was the only bowler to take a wicket.

Bangladesh stand-in captain Tamim Iqbal was less than impressed with his side’s performance, and said: “We had our moments but we lost them in the final stages. But very proud of the way they boys played overall. We could have batted much better, especially myself, should have taken a little bit more responsibility and put up more runs on the board, but that did not happen.

“We are quite good back home. We have been playing some good ODI and Test cricket. We’ve got plenty of Test matches this year and next year. When you see us here next time, we will definitely come out a much better side. I have got no complaints on the bowling front. Two of them were making their debuts and bowled in right areas. I am sure in time they will produce match-winning performances for Bangladesh.”

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was thrilled to have whitewashed Bangladesh, and said: “Whether it is T20 cricket, Test cricket or one-day cricket, they put us under a lot of pressure. Today was probably our best day of cricket throughout the series which gave us the upper hand. Lot of credit to the way the bowlers bowled throughout the series. I think we were quite patient. We were expecting the wicket to do much more. The boys were hitting the wicket hard and I think when we do that, it’s fine. I think today we certainly showed control, the boys executed their plans well.

“As everyone knows, in cricket, you have great days and some other days but at the moment, they (Trent Boult and Tim Southee) are two world-class bowlers making a contribution. They are getting back to swing the ball and they are working very hard, as is every other player, they are all trying to make a difference to the side. Change of personnel now. A great two-and-a-half weeks with the Test side, now we are looking forward to the ODIs.”

Southee was named Man of the Match for taking eight wickets, and said: “Feels good, obviously feels good to go back and sit back and enjoy another Test win. To come out and put up the performance we did was very satisfying. It was frustrating having to wait yesterday…long day…but it gave us the chance to recharge and come back. I guess as a player I am always looking to get better. It was nice to get a few wickets and contribute to the team’s win. It’s been a good series, tough series. We will enjoy our success before shifting our focus to white-ball cricket.”