Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi etched his name into the record books during the third T20I against Bangladesh national cricket team in Dhaka on Saturday. Sodhi became New Zealand’s highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket after claiming his 165th wicket in the shortest format, surpassing former pacer Tim Southee.
The historic moment came at the Shere Bangla National Stadium when Sodhi dismissed Shamim Hossain during Bangladesh’s innings in the rain-shortened contest. The match was reduced to 15 overs per side due to rain interruptions, but Sodhi still managed to achieve the landmark and further strengthen his reputation as one of New Zealand’s finest T20 bowlers.Bangladesh struggled to put together partnerships and were eventually bowled out for 102 in 14.2 overs. Captain Litton Das played an attacking knock of 26 from 17 balls, while Towhid Hridoy top-scored with 33 off 24 deliveries. However, the hosts kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never truly recovered after a shaky start.New Zealand’s bowling unit delivered a disciplined performance, with Josh Clarkson emerging as the standout bowler after taking three wickets for just nine runs in two overs. Nathan Smith and Ben Sears chipped in with two wickets each, while Sodhi finished with figures of 1/22 from his three overs.The Blackcaps entered the match trailing 1-0 in the series after Bangladesh won the opening T20I, while the second match was washed out due to rain. And despite losing wickets in regular intervals, New Zealand managed to chase the target down within 11.4 overs, winning the match by six wickets and subsequently securing the series in the process.
