New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 65 runs in 3rd T20

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 p.m., 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. There were later contributions of 14 from six balls from Glenn Phillips and 11 from six balls from Daryl Mitchell.