New Zealand edged past Bangladesh in a low-scoring thriller on the 4th day of the 2nd Test match played at Sher E Bangla Stadium, Mirpur on 9th December 2023. New Zealand won their first Test match on Bangladesh soil after a gap of 15 years. They registered their previous victory in longer format from 17th-21st October 2008.
Mitchell Santer was bought into the playing XI replacing Ish Sodhi. The pitch had a lot of support for the spinners that put batters under immense pressure. After a decent start by Zakir Hasan and Joy, Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santer took 4 wickets in quick succession to leave Bangladesh in trouble at 47 for 4. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shahadat Hossain steadied the ship putting on 57 runs before Rahim was dismissed obstructing the field.
Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santer, and Glenn Phillips bowled with great control not allowing the Bangladesh batters to score runs freely. Thanks to a brilliant bowling effort, New Zealand bundled them out for 172. The New Zealand batting crumbled losing 5 wickets with a scoreboard reading 55. Conway, Latham, Nicholls, Williamson, and Blundell fell cheaply.
The second day was completely washed out due to rain. Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santer fell cheaply on the third morning leaving New Zealand under immense pressure at 97 for 7. Glenn Phillips looked in great touch keeping the scoreboard ticking hitting boundaries and sixes that put the Bangladesh bowlers on the backfoot.
Phillps completed fifty off just 38 deliveries along with Kyle Jamieson. Kyle Jamieson’s innings ended providing simple catch to Shahadat Hossain. Phillips and Jamieson added 55 runs for the 8th wicket. Phillips showed aggression making life tough for Bangladesh bowlers. He was eventually dismissed by Shoriful Islam caught by Nurul Hasan. Phillips’s quickfire knock helped New Zealand with an 8-run lead in the first innings.
New Zealand picked 2 early wickets to end the 3rd day at 38 for 2. Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santer ripped the Bangladesh batting middle order. Ajaz picked 6 wickets while Santer 3 and Southee 1 to bowl out the host for 144.
Chasing a modest target of 137 runs to win, New Zealand got off to the worst possible start losing Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham, and Tom Blundell to leave them in deep trouble at 51 for 5. Soon after, Daryl Mitchell also fell with a brilliant review by Bangladesh to be overturned leaving Kiwis at 69 for 6.
Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santer looked in great touch putting pressure on Bangladesh bowlers not allowing them to settle. Both batters played the spinners brilliantly making the scoring easy. Phillips hit the winning runs as New Zealand won the match by 4 wickets. Phillps and Santer put on unbeaten 70 runs for the 7th wicket.
With this win, New Zealand levelled the 2-match series at 1-1. They gained their first 12 points of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. For his all-round performance, Glenn Phillps was named player of the match award.
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