‘It all seemed to be stacked against us’

The dramatic rain-interrupted second T20I in Napier between New Zealand and Bangladesh had everything. There was a bit of drama due to confusion about the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method and a blunder from officials kept Bangladesh in the dark for a while about their revised chase of 171 runs off 16 overs.

One thing that was constant was a lack of consistency from the visitors so far, be it with bat, ball or in the field. The result was also all too familiar, Bangladesh losing the game by 28 runs and handing the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.

Rain led to a stoppage with New Zealand on 173 for 5 after 17.5 overs, which was eventually concluded at that point.

But for nine deliveries, Bangladesh were in the dark about their target. The big screen showed a target of 148 in 16 overs, which was also mentioned by the Black Caps' Twitter page.

The match officials had to stop play for five minutes soon after Bangladesh began their chase as there was no clarity on the target till that point. New Zealand had been forced off the field by rain after batting 17.5 overs, during which they had scored 173 for 5. It seemed that Bangladesh batted the first nine balls of their innings with the knowledge that their target in 16 overs was 148. Except, they were chasing 170. Which, later, correctly, was changed to 171. “I think there was a bit of confusion because we didn’t know what the DLS score was, it kept changing on the scoreboard. It can happen in the game. First five overs we were on track but we didn’t finish well enough. Naim and Soumya batted really well. We didn’t capitalise on the balls we missed,” said Bangladesh T20 skipper Mahmudullah Riyad. “I’ve experienced a few things in cricket and this is not one of them,” New Zealand veteran Ross Taylor said on commentary.

It was later corrected to 171 in 16 overs.

Visiting head coach Russell Domingo expressed frustration over the mistake but the South African also mentioned that he did not want to use it as an excuse.

"I don't think I have been involved in a game before where batters go out and don't know what the DLS target is. There was a lot of rain around. Nobody had any idea how many we needed after five or six overs [actually nine deliveries]. I don't think the game should have started until it was finalised, before there was a clear indication of what is required and what we needed at certain stages. I don't quite think it was good enough this evening," Domingo told the media.

"They were waiting for it, still. I think if you are waiting, the game can't start before you get it. What was explained was that they normally get it one or two balls into the innings, but hadn't received it yet. They were waiting for the printouts and calculations to take place. There were delays and all sorts of stuff. No excuses, but this is just very frustrating for us."

In their chase, Bangladesh were dominating the hosts at one point riding on Soumya Sarkar's blistering batting and had reached 94 for two before the left-hander was dismissed for a quickfire 51 off 27 balls.

Opener Naim Sheikh also started well and added 38 and skipper Mahmudullah added 21 but the batsmen, like the bowlers, could not finish well and eventually ended up scoring 142 for 7.

Questions raised by poor fielding will continue after Bangladeshi fielders once again dropped easy catches and fumbled the ball in the field, but Domingo believed the wet outfield played a role.

"I don't think a team field for that long in that much rain. It was slippery, the ball was wet. No excuses but it all seemed to be stacked against us this evening in terms of conditions. I have never seen a game starting in the rain when we came out for four or five overs. I don't think the rules have changed but I was under the impression the covers don't come off until rain stops. The first ball can't be bowled until the rain stops. Maybe the rules have changed. I am not too sure."

Domingo was still on a search for positives and said that the players would need to press the issue of consistency in the third and final T20I, which will be Bangladesh's 32nd attempt to win a match against the hosts in their backyard.