New Zealand won the rain-marred second T20I against Bangladesh at Napier, but the biggest talking point was how the visitors faced nine deliveries without knowing their target.
Opting to bat first, the Black Caps rode on Glenn Phillips’ unbeaten 58-run knock to register a score of 173/5 in 17.5 overs before being forced off the field.
When it was Bangladesh’s turn to come out to bat, the visitors seemed to be under the impression that their target was revised to 148 in 16 overs.
Play is set to start at 9-40pm NZT with Bangladesh to have 16 overs. 148 their target. Follow play LIVE with @sparknzsport in NZ #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/IRkcJ6xjlW
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 30, 2021
However, that was not the case as after facing nine deliveries, play was halted for five minutes with match referee Jeff Crowe and fourth umpire Shaun Haig were involved in a discussion with Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo and manager Sabbir Khan in the match referee's room at the start of the second over.
Play has been stopped as they don't know the target. #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/Jh3N7K9tGM
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 30, 2021
Right and now we can play. 170 confirmed as what Bangladesh will need to win from 16 overs. Play returns at McLean Park. #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/dIz2XWpNR7
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 30, 2021
Following conversations, the target was re-introduced at 170 and Bangladesh finally got a target to chase in the second T20I, or so they thought.
After 14.1 overs, the match officials revised the target again and gave the Tigers 171 runs to win the fixture. At this point, Bangladesh were 126/6 after Kiwi skipper Tim Southee dismissed Mohammad Mithun at the start of the 15th over.
At the end, the hosts secured a 28-run victory and sealed their ninth successive series win at home - across all formats. As for Bangladesh, their tour took a worse turn and many people - including New Zealander Jimmy Neesham - took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the ‘bizarre’ DLS drama.
How is it possible to start a run chase without knowing what you’re chasing? Crazy stuff. #NZvBAN
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) March 30, 2021
bangladesh started their run chase today thinking it was a 100m sprint but were told after the race began that it's actually 200m! #NZvBAN
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 30, 2021
Wonder if there will be a proper investigation about how a DLS target went from 148 to 170 to 171 *AFTER* the team started the chase.#NZvBAN
— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) March 30, 2021
at least Bangladesh lost by more than the DLS margin of error #NZvBan
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) March 30, 2021
Scenes in the umpires' room in Napier working out the DLS target #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/Avx3Rj1Ror
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) March 30, 2021
Game suspended due to Maths... #NZvBan
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 30, 2021
Play stopped due to rain.
— AYUSH (@ayush_22yards) March 30, 2021
Play stopped due to sun light.
Play stopped due to unknown target.
Cricket is banter!#NZvBAN
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Marty Melville
