World Twenty20: New Zealand crush Bangladesh by 75 runs to top Group 2
Mustafizur Rahman's five-wicket haul was not good enough for the Tigers to avoid a fourth straight defeat in the tournament.
New Zealand continued their winning streak in the World Twenty20 2016 by registering a 75-run victory over Bangladesh at Eden Gardens on Saturday. The win meant that the Kiwis topped Group 2, and will face the second-placed team from Group 1 in the semifinals, which as things stand is likely to be England. Bangladesh, on the other hand, ended their World Cup campaign without a single victory after they were bowled out for 70 runs.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss for the fourth consecutive time in the tournament, before opting to bat first on a slow and dry surface in Kolkata. He then led the way with the bat, hitting 42 off 32 balls at the top of the order to get the Kiwis going. Handy knocks from Colin Munro (35 off 35 balls) and Ross Taylor (28 off 24 balls) took the Black Caps to 99/2 in the 15th over, before a slew of wickets in the final five overs meant they ended with 145/8. For Bangladesh, left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman was the star, picking up a maiden five-wicket haul with the help of his wily cutters.
The total was more than sufficient for the Kiwis to defend, as Bangladesh lost their first wicket within two overs after Tamim Iqbal was run out. New Zealand's good bowling continued, earning them five wickets by the 10th over. Bangladesh soon settled on hitting singles, as fielding remained tight and wickets fell rapidly. They were eventually bowled out for 70. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was awarded man of the match.