Mahmudullah, Nasum lead Bangladesh to series win over New Zealand

Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad an unbeaten 43 off 48 balls as Bangladesh edged out New Zealand by six wickets in the fourth T20I to seal their maiden series win over the Black Caps in Dhaka on Wednesday.

After winning the toss, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham elected to bat. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed removed openers Rachin Ravindra for a duck and Finn Allen for 12 by the end of the third over. Latham (21 off 26 balls) and Will Young added 35 runs for the third wicket, but Nasum returned to send back the Black Caps skipper and Colin de Grandhomme in the 12th over. 

Mustafizur Rahman (4-12) kept up the pressure by removing the tail enders while Mohammad Saifuddin dismissed Ajaz Patel. Young was the top-scorer with 46 off 48 balls (5x4, 1x6) as New Zealand were bowled out for 93 in 19.3 overs.

The visitors fancied a chance early in the second innings when off-spinner Cole McConchie dismissed opener Liton Das (6) in the second over while Ajaz Patel sent back Shakib al Hasan (8) and Mushfiqur Rahim (0) in the same over to leave Bangladesh stuttering at 32-3.

Mohammad Naim and Mahmudullah steadied the innings with 35 runs for the fourth wicket to put Bangladesh back in control. With 19 runs needed from 19 balls, Latham missed a big stumping chance of Mahmudullah in Patel's bowling as the Bangladesh skipper wrapped up the match alongside Afif Hossain with five balls to spare.

Mahmudullah hailed the bowlers for the win. 

"The bowlers did a great job once again to keep New Zealand to a low total. All the bowlers, Nasum, Mahedi, Mustafizur, bowled well. The batters tried their best. We just needed a good partnership in the middle and Naim and I tried that."

Latham felt that his team did well with the ball despite being under par while batting.

"We were slightly under par. We were looking at 100-110 but credit to Bangladesh. They batted (well). After a couple of early wickets, they had it under control. The way Mahmudullah finished, credit to them," he said.

The fifth match of the series will be played on Friday at the Shere Bangla Stadium.

(With inputs from AFP)