AUCKLAND, April 1: Rookie Finn Allen made 71 from 29 balls as New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 65 runs on Thursday in the third Twenty20 cricket international, reduced by rain to 10 overs a side.
Allen, who only two matches ago made a golden duck on debut, raced to a half century from 18 balls — the second-fastest by a New Zealander in T20 internationals — as New Zealand made 141-4 after being sent in.
Bangladesh didn’t seriously challenge and was bowled out for 76 in 9.3 overs.
Leg-spinner Todd Astle, playing only his fourth T20 international for New Zealand since 2016 and his first in almost 18 months, took 4-13 from the two overs he was allowed.
In the reduced match, bowlers were permitted two overs each and the power plays were only three overs.
Rain delayed the start until after 9 pm, leaving just enough time to cram in a 20-overs match.
In its limited form, Thursday’s match came down to pure power hitting, which is New Zealand’s forte.
Allen put on 85 in an opening stand of just 5.4 overs with Martin Guptill, who made 44 from 19 balls.
Tim Southee dismissed Soumya Sarkar (10) and Liton Das (0) with the last two balls of the first over, increasing the pressure on Bangladesh, which needed to score at more than 14 runs per over.
Southee missed his hat trick but finished with 3-15 and the speedsters Adam Milne and Lockie Ferguson, operating in tandem for the first time, each took a wicket.
New Zealand had already clinched the three-match series by winning the first match by 66 runs and the second 28 runs.
New Zealand has now won all seven of its home series this summer, encompassing T20 series against the West Indies, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, a one-series against Bangladesh and Test series against Pakistan and the West Indies.
In total, New Zealand won 17 matches and lost three.
It’s 2-0 test series wins over Pakistan and the West Indies propelled it into the World Test Championship final in June against India at Somerset.
New Zealand also increased its winning streak at home against Bangladesh to 31-0 across all three formats. (AP)
Brief scores: New Zealand 141/4 in 10 overs (Finn Allen 71, Martin Guptill 44; Soriful Islam 1/21) Bangladesh 76 in 9.3 overs (Mohammad Naim 19; Todd Astle 4/13, Tim Southee 3/15).
