<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar could not extend the innings even though they started chasing a huge target. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan scored a half-century with great batting for four. But the rest continued to come and go. As a result, Bangladesh withdrew from the tri-nation T20 series after accepting a big loss on Wednesday. </span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The defeat also saw Bangladesh crash out of the T20I tri-nation series with three losses on the trot as New Zealand and Pakistan make it to the final, scheduled to be held at the same venue on Friday. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unlike the other two matches that Tigers lost in this series, Bangladesh batters were able to show intent in their chase of a 209-run target today. Shakib, in particular, looked to be in good touch during his 44-ball 70.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, despite Shakib's knock, Bangladesh were restricted to 160 for seven as they lacked the firepower at the death that is required to get over the line while in chase of such a big target. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Tigers' team management faced backlash for having Shakib come down at number seven in their previous game in the series against New Zealand, which the Tigers lost by eight wickets. Coming at number four today, Shakib looked to be bold and innovative throughout his innings. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The left-hander made his intentions clear right from the word go as he got off the mark by charging down the ground to hit Michael Bracewell for a boundary off the very first ball he faced. He hit a total of eight boundaries and one maximum and also starred in a 43-run stand with Soumya Sarkar, who scored 17-ball 23 in his first game for Bangladesh in over 11 months. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chasing a huge total, Bangladesh managed to get a positive start. Liton Das looked good during his 16-ball 23 as the Tigers amassed 52 for two wickets in the Powerplay. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shakib tried to keep the Tigers in the game but Bangladesh failed to match the tempo as the required rate skyrocketed over 18 an over at one point of the game. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For New Zealand, pacer Adam Milne led the attack as he finished with figures of three for 24 in four overs. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier, a 40-ball 64 from Devon Conway and another rapid 24-ball 60 from Glenn Phillips helped New Zealand post 208 for five -- only the fifth time that a score above 200 was set at this venue.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>