NEW DELHI: In a rain-affected third and final Twenty20 international at Mount Maunganui on Sunday, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner claimed four wickets as they defeated Bangladesh by 17 runs to tie the series 1-1.
After dismissing Bangladesh for 110, New Zealand's top order fell to 49-5, but Jimmy Neesham and Santner rallied to make 95-5 from 14.4 overs.
All-rounder Neesham's unbeaten 28 put the Black Caps well ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern mark when play was stopped due to severe rain.
After losing the previous ODI series 2-1, the outcome prevented Bangladesh from winning a series in any format on New Zealand soil.
Santner suppressed an innings that was already faltering at 41-3 when he was introduced, claiming 4-16 from his four overs after asking Bangladesh to bat first on a lively Bay Oval track.
Seamers Ben Sears, Adam Milne, and Tim Southee all claimed two wickets.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, the skipper and highest scorer for Bangladesh, was dismissed by Milne (2-23) for 17 when he skied a full-pitched delivery to point.
Despite reaching double digits, four more Bangladeshi batters were unable to contribute significantly to the score.
With excellent backing from Santner, who was undefeated at 18, Neesham held the innings together as the storm clouds gathered. Four of New Zealand's top order were bowled for one run, and Finn Allen followed after scoring 38.
Seamer Shoriful Islam took 2-17 off 3.4 overs.
Bangladesh won the first game in Napier on Wednesday by five wickets, before Friday's second match was abandoned after 11 overs because of rain in Mount Maunganui.
(With AFP inputs)
