Skipper Brendon McCullum blazed his way to a sparkling half-century and added to his illustrious T20I record as New Zealand cantered to a six-wicket win over the Netherlands in Chittagong on Saturday to keep their hopes alive in the ICC World Twenty20. McCullum’s 65 off 45 balls helped the Kiwis reach 152-4 in 19 overs after a combined effort by the bowlers restricted the Netherlands to 151-4 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
McCulluim became the first batsman to score 2000 runs in Twenty20 International when he reached 21, and he completed his fifty in style by hitting a six over extra cover, charging down the wicket against Ahsan Malik.
Corey Anderson scored an unbeaten 20 runs to see the New Zealanders coast to victory.
The Netherlands scored 151-4 thanks to the 60-run fourth-wicket stand between skipper Peter Borren (49) and Tom Cooper (40 not out).
Borren looked set to pick up his maiden Twenty20 half-century but failed to do so, dabbing a wide ball offered by Kyle Mills straight into the hands of the point fielder Kane Williamson.
Borren’s innings could have been cut short earlier if Nathan McCullum had held a chance off his own bowling with the batsman on 11 runs. Borren and Cooper then posted the Netherlands’ highest Twenty20 fourth-wicket partnership against a Test-playing nation.
New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult said that the Black Caps were happy to be back in a winning stride, and he hailed McCullum’s innings.
‘It was very good innings and guided the team forward,’ said Boult.
‘He is such a nice cricketer and it must be satisfying for him personally.’
-With New Age input
