Bevon Jacobs' 62 Powers New Zealand to Series-Leveling Win Over Bangladesh in Rain-Affected Final T20I

Key facts

• New Zealand won by 6 wickets with 20 balls remaining via DLS method.
• Bevon Jacobs scored 62 off 31 balls, named Player of the Match.
• Bangladesh posted 110 all out (target revised to 100 due to rain).
• Shoriful Islam took 3 wickets in a scintillating new-ball spell.
• Match played at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka on May 2, 2026.
• Series ended 1-1 after Bangladesh won first T20I by 6 wickets, second washed out.

Rain Interrupts Bangladesh's Momentum After Solid Start

Bangladesh captain Litton Das won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to set a challenging total on a pitch that offered variable bounce. Openers Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy built a promising partnership, but a rain delay broke their momentum, leaving Bangladesh at a precarious position. After the interruption, Bangladesh's innings faltered, and they were bowled out for 110, well short of the 160 that Das later said would have been a competitive total. Das acknowledged the weather's impact: 'When we were at the toss, I said that the weather is a big factor. I think the toss was important. Although when we batted first, 150 is obviously difficult to get, but when me and Hridoy got a partnership, the rain came and after that it was not our day. It just broke the momentum.' New Zealand's bowlers exploited the conditions effectively, with Josh Clarkson (not explicitly named but implied) and others maintaining pressure. Bangladesh's batting lineup struggled to find boundaries, and only a few cameos materialized, leaving them with a meager total.

Shoriful Islam's Fiery Spell Rattles New Zealand's Top Order

Chasing a revised target of 100 under the DLS method, New Zealand's innings got off to a rocky start as Shoriful Islam delivered a scintillating new-ball spell. He picked up three wickets, creating panic in the Kiwi camp and reducing them to a precarious position early on. Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with one wicket, but the other bowlers, including Ripon Mondol and Rishad Hossain, were hit for plenty, failing to maintain the pressure. Shoriful's performance drew praise from his captain, Litton Das: 'Definitely, when you are playing on such a good wicket...100 is not enough. I think anything around 160 would have been a good total. Although Shoriful bowled really well, that's why we tried in the middle to give them a little bit of pressure. But overall, both batting and bowling were not up to the mark.' New Zealand captain Nick Kelly also acknowledged Shoriful's impact: 'Shoriful obviously bowled really well at the top, like he has all series.' Despite the early setbacks, New Zealand's depth and composure saw them through.

Bevon Jacobs' Counterattack Seals the Chase in Style

With New Zealand in trouble, Bevon Jacobs walked in and played a match-defining innings, smashing 62 off just 31 balls. His knock included massive sixes, one of which was 'thumped way over midwicket for a huuuuge six' to seal the victory. Jacobs showed great temperament, dominating the bowlers from the start and building a crucial partnership with Tim Robinson, who also contributed to getting the team closer to the target. Jacobs, named Player of the Match, reflected on his performance: 'I always like to contribute when I can, so for me to be able to go out there and contribute to the (team) was pretty special. Look, they're obviously not going to stop fighting. They're a tough team; you can't just count them out. I thought Shoriful bowled beautifully to put the pressure back on us, but it was nice to build that partnership and steady the chase.' His innings featured a blend of power and precision, with shots like a 'bludgeoned' drive over long-on for six and a 'sliced' cut behind point. The required run rate, as Jacobs noted, was manageable thanks to the bowlers' earlier efforts, and he capitalized on a surface that became easier to bat on once set.

New Zealand's Death Bowling and Team Effort Turn the Tide

New Zealand captain Nick Kelly credited the team's death bowling as the difference-maker in the game. 'I think our death bowling made the difference in the game. And like you said, for Josh to take those figures, I'm very happy for him,' Kelly said, referring to Josh Clarkson's impressive bowling figures. Kelly also praised Ben Foxcroft for soaking up pressure in the middle overs and showcasing his power-hitting at the end. Kelly emphasized the team's collective effort: 'Yeah, 100%. It's been a very enjoyable series for us. It's been a while now, but we spoke about finishing the series well, and it's nice to get on the plane tonight with a win. Yeah, I think it was awesome. We talked quite a lot after the last game that maybe we didn't quite get the plan right, but I thought we were unbelievable today.' The victory was a strong comeback after the first T20I loss, where Bangladesh chased down 182. The second match was washed out, giving Bangladesh an unassailable lead, but New Zealand's resilience ensured they ended the series on a high note.

Series Context and Bangladesh's Missed Opportunity

The three-match T20I series began with Bangladesh securing a six-wicket victory in Chattogram on April 27, successfully chasing 182. The second match was abandoned due to rain, handing Bangladesh a 1-0 lead. With the series on the line, Bangladesh aimed to clinch it in Dhaka but fell short due to a combination of rain, poor batting, and ineffective bowling. Litton Das expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the future: 'If Shoriful continues like this, Bangladesh will be more successful in the future.' He also addressed the spectators: 'Hopefully next time when you come, you will support us again, and we will be able to give you a better performance. Thank you again.' New Zealand, trailing 0-1, managed to square the series 1-1, a result that reflects the competitive nature of the contest. The series showcased the importance of partnerships and individual brilliance, with Jacobs' innings standing out as the decisive factor.

What Lies Ahead for Both Teams

With the series concluded, both teams will look to build on their performances. For Bangladesh, the emergence of Shoriful Islam as a potent new-ball bowler is a positive takeaway, but the batting lineup's fragility remains a concern. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be buoyed by the depth in their batting and the effectiveness of their death bowling. The match also highlighted the unpredictability of T20 cricket, where rain and revised targets can alter the course of a game. As the teams depart from Dhaka, the series result leaves both sides with lessons to carry into future assignments.

The bottom line

• Bevon Jacobs' unbeaten 62 off 31 balls earned him Player of the Match and led New Zealand to a six-wicket win under DLS.
• Shoriful Islam's three-wicket spell rattled New Zealand's top order but couldn't prevent the chase.
• Rain interrupted Bangladesh's innings, breaking their momentum and reducing the target to 100.
• New Zealand's death bowling, particularly by Josh Clarkson, was pivotal in restricting Bangladesh.
• The series ended 1-1 after Bangladesh won the first T20I and the second was washed out.
• Bangladesh captain Litton Das acknowledged the team's shortcomings but praised Shoriful's potential.