BAN vs NZ, 3rd T20I Highlights: New Zealand win by 6 wickets with 20 balls to spare

ADIOS - And with that, the curtains finally come down on a fiercely contested T20I series between New Zealand and Bangladesh. It’s been an absolute rollercoaster of a tour, ultimately ending in a hard-fought 1-1 stalemate, meaning both captains will fittingly share the trophy. That officially wraps up our coverage for this T20I series. Next up, these two international giants will lock horns as they have 2 match Test series, which will start on 8th May, 3.30 am GMT. Alright then, it's goodbye and cheers from all of us here in the commentary box!

New Zealand captain - Nick Kelly says it has been a great series and that the team really enjoys their time here. Speaking about Josh Clarkson's spell, Kelly reckons he was awesome on the day and explains that after the last game, they discussed how the plans were not right, but they are very good today. Addressing the run chase, Kelly says that Shoriful Islam did well up top, yet he points out that Bevon Jacobs soaked up the pressure well before everyone saw his power at the back end.

Player of the Series - Tawhid Hridoy wins the POTS for his overall performance throughout the series, where he scored 84 runs. When asked about the series, Hridoy said that it very good team effort and Hridoy adds that he is hopeful that they will continue like this. On his batting, Tawhid reckons that he has done well in the series, just wishes he'd batted longer today. Hridoy concludes by saying that he aims to keep an eye on the scorecard and conditions and play every ball on its merit.

Player Of The Match - Bevon Jacobs has been awarded the POTM for his match-winning knock of 61 off 31 balls. Bevon says he is really happy with his performance because he always likes to contribute to the team’s cause whenever he can. Bevon reckons that it is pretty special to help in winning a game for NZ. Reflecting on the situation at 33/4, Bevon says that Bangladesh are obviously not going to stop fighting and credits Shoriful for bowling beautifully to put them under pressure, but he is pleased to have the partnership with Dean Foxcroft. On the pitch, Bevon remarks that the surface was really good, once a batter gets his eye in and uses some time.

Bangladesh's skipper - Litton Das says that the toss becomes a big factor with rain around. Das adds that losing early wickets did not help the side either. Das adds that after he builds a partnership with Tawhid Hridoy, the rain break disrupts their rhythm. Speaking about Shoriful Islam, Litton adds that he desires for the pacer to bowl like that more consistently because his early wickets significantly help the team.

Time for the presensation ceremony...

Earlier in the game - New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first, a choice that quickly paid off with three early wickets in the Powerplay. The Bangladeshi batters struggled to cope with the challenging overcast conditions, with Jayden Lennox impressively claiming a wicket with his first delivery, leaving Bangladesh at 35/3 in just 4.4 overs. Though Captain Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy managed to push the score to 50/3, rain interrupted play for nearly two hours, resulting in a reduced match of 15 overs. After the resumption, Hridoy attacked the spinners, but after losing Das, Bangladesh faltered at 86/4. Ish Sodhi dismissed Shamim Hossain, followed by Josh Clarkson taking out Hridoy and Mohammad Saifuddin, leading to a stunning collapse. From 86/4, Bangladesh crumbled to 89/7, and the New Zealand quicks wrapped up the innings, bowling them out for just 102.

Shoriful's triple strike not enough - Bevon Jacobs ultimately finished unbeaten on a stunning 62 off just 31 balls, and it was his innings that sealed the match comprehensively. New Zealand crossed the line at 104 for 4 in 11.4 overs, winning by 6 wickets. Shoriful Islam was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, finishing with 3 wickets for 19 runs from 3 overs, but his efforts were ultimately in vain. But other than him, no Bangladeshi bowlers really stood up when it mattered.

Jacobs to the rescue - However, New Zealand's innings was transformed by the arrival of Bevon Jacobs at number five, who played an innings of remarkable composure and controlled aggression. Jacobs found a steady ally in Dean Foxcroft, and together the pair put on an unbroken 71-run fifth-wicket partnership that completely shifted the complexion of the match. Jacobs was particularly severe on the Bangladesh bowlers, launching sixes at will and rotating the strike with ease.

Nervy start from the Kiwis' top order - Chasing a modest target of 103 under overcast Dhaka skies, New Zealand started their innings cautiously but soon encountered significant trouble. The start was not at all in favour of New Zealand. Tim Robinson was finding the middle of the bat, but the fall of wickets was just not stopping from the other end and it's none other than Shoriful Islam who made the impact. Soon after the fall of two wickets, Robinson fell into the radar of Islam as well and New Zealand were 25 for 3 in the 4th over.

Series level - The Kiwis have done it! After suffering a defeat in the opening game of the series, the second match was nothing short of a must-win for New Zealand. Cruelly, however, the heavens intervened, and the fixture was washed out without a single ball being bowled, leaving the series fate to be decided in this final encounter. New Zealand knew they had to win, and they did it, levelling the series emphatically with a commanding six-wicket victory (DLS Method). For Bangladesh, it was a bitter pill to swallow. Having already claimed the ODI series, a home T20I series win was well within their grasp, and they had every opportunity to wrap it up. But cricket, as it so often does, had other ideas, and in the end, the hosts will be left to rue what might have been.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, SIX! SMOKED IT AWAY! This is tossed up, fuller, on off and middle. Bevon Jacobs sits down on one knee and sweeps it over the deep square leg region for half a dozen. New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets (DLS METHOD).

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, FOUR! Hit hard! Flighted to offer, on middle, much fuller. Bevon Jacobs clears his front foot and launches it down the ground for four runs.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, DROPPED AND SIX! FIFTY FOR JACOBS! Tossed up, fuller, on off and middle. Bevon Jacobs leans on the delivery and slogs it toward the right of the long on fielder. The fielder moves to his right and tries to reverse scoop the catch, but fails to grasp it. The ball bounces off over the boundary line and Jacob gets his much-deserved half-century.

Rishad Hossain to Dean Foxcroft, A touch shorter, outside off, Dean Foxcroft slaps it to deep cover for one.

Mahedi Hasan to Dean Foxcroft, Short, outside off, Dean Foxcroft flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mahedi Hasan to Dean Foxcroft, Short, outside off, Dean Foxcroft punches it to the left of the bowler.

Mahedi Hasan to Bevon Jacobs, DROPPED! That should have been taken by Mahedi Hasan! On a good length, on middle. Bevon Jacobs looks to push it, but plays a bit off the bottom hand. The ball flies toward the right of the bowler. Hasan tumbles toward the catch but spills it away. The ball rolls to mid on and a single is taken by the batter.

Mahedi Hasan to Bevon Jacobs, Fuller, down the leg side. Bevon Jacobs makes room to heave it away but gets beaten because of the turn.

Mahedi Hasan to Dean Foxcroft, Full, on middle, Dean Foxcroft sweeps it to square leg for one.

Mahedi Hasan to Bevon Jacobs, Short, on the stumps, Bevon Jacobs punches it to long on for one.

Ripon Mondol to Bevon Jacobs, Back of a length, on middle and leg, Bevon Jacobs nudges it to the vacant mid-wicket region and gets two runs by the time the deep fielder charges the ball and throws it. Now the ball hits the stumps directly at the bowler's end and deflects toward square leg. The batter gets another run.

Ripon Mondol to Bevon Jacobs, Full, on middle, Bevon Jacobs drives it down the track and gets a couple of runs.

Ripon Mondol to Bevon Jacobs, In the air.... but landed safely! Shortish, on off, Bevon Jacobs looks to pull, but miscues the shot. The ball loops and drops toward the right of the long on fielder, just inside the boundary cushion. Brace taken.

Ripon Mondol to Bevon Jacobs, SIX! Now that's what you call 'shot of authority'! Good-length delivery, outside off. Bevon Jacobs predetermines and steps out of the crease. He punches it aerially, over the wide long off fence for six more runs.

Ripon Mondol to Bevon Jacobs, Back of a length, around off, Bevon Jacobs pushes it to cover.

Ripon Mondol to Dean Foxcroft, With each single, New Zealand are getting closer and closer toward the victory. On a hard length, on off. Dean Foxcroft charges down the track and pats it to long on for a comfortable single.

Ripon Mondol is back into the attack.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, FOUR! Beautiful shot from Bevon Jacobs! Tossed up, on off and middle. Bevon Jacobs gets down on one knee and slog sweeps it toward the far left of the deep mid-wicket fielder for four runs. 

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, Full, on middle, Bevon Jacobs tucks it to the short mid-wicket fielder who has been placed just before this delivery.

Rishad Hossain to Dean Foxcroft, Short, on off, Dean Foxcroft punches it from his back foot to long on for a single.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, Pitches it up again, on leg, Bevon Jacobs flicks it to deep backward square leg and gets a single.

Rishad Hossain to Dean Foxcroft, Flat and fuller, down the leg side, Dean Foxcroft sweeps it to wide of short fine leg for a single.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, Fuller, on off, turning it away from the batter. Bevon Jacobs goes deep into the crease and pushes it to the vacant mid on region for a single.

Time Out! New Zealand are 61/4 after 8 overs now. They need 42 from 42 balls. They are slightly ahead in the game but some quick wickets can still turn the game around. Bevon Jacobs looks well set while Dean Foxcroft is playing the second fiddle. Bangladesh desperately need wickets. Let's see how it ends...

Mohammad Saifuddin to Dean Foxcroft, Appeal for caught behind but not given by the umpire! However, Litton Das takes the review. This is on a good length, angling down the leg side, Dean Foxcroft looks to flick it but misses the connection. The replay shows that there is a clear space when the ball passes the bat. Bangladesh lose their review.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Dean Foxcroft, Keeps it full, on off, Dean Foxcroft blocks it back to the bowler.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Dean Foxcroft, Wide! Down the leg side, Dean Foxcroft looks to flick it but misses.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Bevon Jacobs, Back of a length, outside off, Bevon Jacobs slaps it to the right of the deep point fielder. The fielder does well to cut it to two runs and throws it to the bowler's end. However, the back-up failed to do his job and the batters got another run. So three runs on this ball.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Dean Foxcroft, The Kiwis are rotating their strike and that is enough for them right now. They just need to avoid dot deliveries. Good length, on off, Dean Foxcroft pushes it to long on for a single.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Bevon Jacobs, Back of a length, on middle, Bevon Jacobs tucks it to deep square leg for another single.

Mohammad Saifuddin to Dean Foxcroft, On a good length, on middle, Dean Foxcroft whips it to deep square leg for a single.

Mohammad Saifuddin has been introduced to the attack.

Rishad Hossain to Dean Foxcroft, Short again, outside leg, Dean Foxcroft tucks it to deep square leg and gets another single. New Zealand need 49 runs off 48 balls now.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, Hossain drags his length back, angling it down the leg side. Bevon Jacobs flicks it to square leg and gets across for one run.

Rishad Hossain to Dean Foxcroft, A touch fuller, on off, Dean Foxcroft pushes it with soft hands toward the right of the point fielder and gets a quick single. This is better cricket from the Kiwis!

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, Short, on off, Bevon Jacobs pulls it with control to wide long on for a single.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, Much fuller, on middle, Bevon Jacobs flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Rishad Hossain to Bevon Jacobs, Short, on off, Bevon Jacobs bunts it back to the bowler.

Shoriful Islam to Dean Foxcroft, FOUR! That's a lovely stroke! Full-length delivery yet again from Islam, on off. Dean Foxcroft prods halfway, leans on the delivery and punches it with full face of the bat toward the right of mid off for four runs.