Jacobs rescue act earns NZ draw as T20 series ends 1-1

Bevon Jacobs blasted a career-best 62 off just 31 balls to power New Zealand to a series-levelling win over Bangladesh in the third and final T20I at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday, as the visitors squared the series 1-1.

Chasing a revised target of 103 in 15 overs, New Zealand stumbled early under a fierce burst from Shoriful Islam. The left-arm seamer struck twice in his opening over, removing Katene Clarke (1) and Dane Cleaver (1), before returning to dismiss Tim Robinson (23 off 14) and leave the visitors reeling.

Mahedi Hasan compounded the pressure by sending back stand-in captain Nick Kelly, reducing New Zealand to 33-4 and putting Bangladesh firmly in control.

Jacobs, however, had other ideas. Showing composure and intent, he launched a counterattack alongside Dean Foxcroft, who played a steady supporting role. The duo stitched an unbroken 71-run stand that flipped the contest decisively.

Jacobs took charge against both pace and spin, notably targeting Shoriful in his final spell to swing the momentum. His innings, laced with five fours and three sixes, proved the difference, while Foxcroft remained unbeaten on 15 off 15 balls.

Despite Shoriful’s impressive 3-19, Bangladesh’s modest total left little margin for error.

Earlier, New Zealand’s bowlers delivered a disciplined all-round performance to dismiss Bangladesh for 102 in 14.2 overs. The hosts faltered early, losing three wickets in the powerplay to dent their progress.

Saif Hassan made a brisk 16 before becoming the first international wicket for debutant Jayden Lennox. Nathan Smith then struck twice in quick succession to remove Tanzid Hasan Tamim (6) and Parvez Hossain Emon (0), putting Bangladesh on the back foot.

Captain Litton Das briefly lifted the tempo with a 26 off 17 balls, but his dismissal after a rain interruption stalled the innings. Towhid Hridoy attempted to rebuild, but a sharp yorker from Josh Clarkson ended his resistance.

Clarkson finished with three wickets, while Smith, Lennox and Ben Sears chipped in with two apiece to complete a clinical bowling effort.

The match also saw notable milestones. Ish Sodhi became New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, surpassing Tim Southee’s 164 wickets to reach 165. Litton Das, meanwhile, set a new Bangladesh record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in T20Is, overtaking Mushfiqur Rahim with 64.