Tigers suffer another defeat

WELLINGTON, Oct 12 (Agencies): New Zealand marched to the final of the ongoing Tri-Series at home, beating Bangladesh by 49 runs in Christchurch on Wednesday.
Bangladesh failed to chase a massive total of 208 runs. It was Bangladesh's third T20 defeat in a row. Before this match, they lost to Pakistan and New Zealand in their previous two matches.
The hosts now face Pakistan on Friday, also in Christchurch, in the final of a series which is a tune-up for this month's T20 World Cup in Australia.
Fresh from dispatching Pakistan by nine wickets on Tuesday, New Zealand put in another strong batting display to set Bangladesh an imposing 209-run target.
Despite a battling 70 from captain Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh fell short as they closed on 160-7.
New Zealand opener Conway smacked 64 off 40 balls and his partnership of 45 with Finn Allen, who departed for 32 after a superb Yasir Ali catch, set the tone.
The South African-born Phillips blasted 60 runs off 24 balls, including five sixes, to propel New Zealand to 208-5 in their 20 overs.
"The way Devon batted again was absolutely phenomenal, but it just happened to be my day with the bat," Phillips said after being named man-of-the-match.
Adam Milne, back from an abdominal strain, struck in the fourth over of the Bangladesh chase when he bowled Najmul Hossain Shanto for 11.
Opening partner Liton Das soon followed, caught by Martin Guptill off the bowling of Michael Bracewell to leave Bangladesh on 47-2.
Captain Shakib offered the most resistance but once he was out, edging Tim Southee to wicketkeeper Conway, the game slipped away from Bangladesh.
"When you score a few runs, you feel better, but I thought we played quite well," said Shakib.
"New Zealand put on a very good total and we were always behind in the game, but I thought we should have scored maybe 15 or 20 more runs,
"We kept on losing wickets which cost us the game."
New Zealand had rested captain Kane Williamson as they comfortably backed up Sunday's eight-wicket win over Bangladesh to underline their T20 World Cup credentials.
Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and sent New Zealand to bat first.
Shoriful sent Allen back for 32 off just 19 balls, but Conway was firm in the middle. He made 64 off 40 balls with five fours and three sixes. Glenn surpassed Conway hitting 60 off just 24 balls with two fours and five sixes.
Mohammad Saifuddin and Ebadot Hossain, who were playing their first match in this event, took two wickets each but their efforts were not enough to strict New Zealand in a lower total.
Bangladesh made three changes in this match— adding Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Saifuddin and Ebadot Hossain replacing Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed.
Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in their last match of this Tri-Series- their last T20I before the T20 World Cup as well- on Thursday at 8 am (Bangladesh time). A third straight defeat means Bangladesh cannot reach the tri-series final and their match against Pakistan is a dead rubber.