IRELAND TRI-NATION SERIES, 6TH MATCH

Bangladesh romped to a five-wicket victory over New Zealand -- the Tigers' first victory over the Kiwis away from home -- in the last match of the Ireland tri-series at the Clantorf Cricket Club in Dublin today.

Mahmudullah Riyad struck the second delivery of the 49th over from Hamish Bennett for a boundary to win the crucial encounter. Mahmudullah was unbeaten on 45 off 36 balls while Mushfiqur Rahim remined not out for a run-a-ball 45. Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman scored 65 each to lay the platform for the chase after the Bangladesh bowlers restricted the New Zealanders to 270 for 8.

Even if New Zealand had already won the title of the tri-series, the victory means Bangladesh overtake Sri Lanka in sixth place in the ICC ODI rankings, thereby enahcing the chances of automatic qualification into the 2019 ICC World Cup.

A pulled six off Hamish Bennett by Mahmudullah was part of the 12 runs taken from the 47th over, and Bangladesh are now 10 runs away from their first awa win over New Zealand and from the number 6 spot in the ODI rankings.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad take Bangladesh to within touching distance as they take six off the 46th over from Matt Henry. Tigers now need 22 off the last four overs with five wickets in hand.

Shakib Al Hasan fell for 19 off 32 deliveries as Bangladesh were reduced to 202 for five in 40 overs against New Zealand, chasing 271 in the 6th match of the tri-series in Dublin today.

Earlier, Tamim Iqbal, Sabbir Rahman and Mosaddek Hossain fell in quick succession after a big second-wicket partnership had laid the platform for the chase. Tamim and Sabbir scored 65 runs apiece and stiched together a partnership of 136 runs.

Opener Soumya Sarkar fell to New Zealand off-spinner Jeetan Patel without scoring on the third delivery of the Bangladesh innings, but since then Tamim  and Sabbir put on a solid partnership. Tamim got out for 65 off 80 balls in the 27th over, falling to Mitchell Santner, before Sabbir fell two overs later, getting himself run-out for 65 off 83 deliveries.

Soumya, who had scored two fifties in his two previous innings, got out to the first ball he faced as he sliced the ball to backward point where Corey Anderson took a simple catch.

Earlier, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan picked up three wickets for three runs to restrict New Zealand to 270-8 in the

Ross Taylor hit an unbeaten 60 but after the loss of three quick wickets the Black Caps failed to provide the final flourish against some superb bolwing from Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain, who came up with a barrage of Yourkers in his last two overs.

Mashrafe first struck to get rid off Neesham, who lobbed the ball into the air and safely into the arms of Mahmudullah Riyad, who grabbed the simple chance.

Shakib then took charge in the next over, sending Mitchell Santner back for a duck. A faster one from the left-armer completely decieved the batsman, who was clean bowled.

Mashrafe then had Munro caught for behind for one. The Kiwi swung at a ball pitched outside off, resulting in a thin edge carrying safely to Mushfiqur Rahim's hands.

(Published 2017/05/24 at 11:41 pm)