BAN vs NZ 2nd Test: Glenn Phillips, Ajaz Patel Shine As New Zealand Clinch Thrilling Win Over Bangladesh To Equalise Series

BAN vs NZ 2nd Test: In a riveting Test match, New Zealand registered a thrilling four wickets win over Bangladesh to equal the 2-match series. The first innings hero Glenn Phillips starred again in the chase to take Blackcaps home.

With a target of 137 in the fourth innings, Tom Latham and Devon Conway cautiously navigated a three-over spell before Lunch, accumulating four runs without any damage to the wickets. However, the chase took an unexpected turn as Shoriful Islam dismissed Conway just after the break.

Kane Williamson took on Taijul Islam to accelerate the scoring but was stumped. Henry Nicholls fell next, trapped in front by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, losing a review in the process. Latham, after surviving an LBW appeal, eventually succumbed, caught at slip by Mehidy.

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The troubles persisted as Tom Blundell edged one to the keeper, and Daryl Mitchell, after some resistance, nicked Mehidy to slip, leaving New Zealand struggling at 69-6.

The match's pivotal moment arrived when Mitchell Santner and Phillips, standing tall with an unbeaten 70-run partnership – the highest of the match – orchestrated a stellar chase. Their clinical rearguard action displayed aggression, sensible batting, and calculated risks. Punishing loose deliveries and showcasing great temperament, the duo guided New Zealand to victory.

Earlier, Bangladesh faced a dramatic collapse from a promising 71-2 to a mere 144 all-out on the morning of Day 4. The architects of this swift downfall were New Zealand's left-arm spinners, Ajaz Patel and Santner, who shared a combined nine wickets (Ajaz Patel 6-57, Mitchell Santner 3-51).

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Zakir delivered Bangladesh's standout innings in this Test with a 59 run stand in the second innings, balancing defensive plays with well-timed aggressive shots. Despite Zakir's commendable efforts, Philips overshadowed Bangladesh's spin strategy with two impressive innings, notably scoring 87 in New Zealand's first innings.

The Test match featured several twists and turns, with Bangladesh initially scoring 338 in their second innings in Sylhet but managing only 144 in Dhaka. Patel's exceptional performance and the Phillips-Santner partnership ultimately shaped New Zealand's successful chase, concluding a match filled with spin-centric action and interesting comebacks.

The match will go down in history as one of the lowest-scoring encounters, with both teams collectively playing only 1069 balls.