Just imagine how would it be, if the side chasing in a cricket match does not even know what is the target that they would need for victory. Before you actually imagine it, let us take you to Napier, where such an incident actually took place. New Zealand and Bangladesh locked horns in the second T20I on 30th March 2021. And, probably for the first time in cricket history, the chasing side started their innings without even a target in mind.

When the Bangladesh side started their run chase, they were not even told what was the target they would be chasing. Now, let us delve into what exactly happened in the second T20I between the two sides. The New Zealand side batted first and was poised for a total in excess of 200. The Kiwis’ scorecard read 173/5 in 17.5 overs, but the rain gods opened up. As a result, the New Zealand innings was abruptly stopped. And, after the rain stopped, Bangladesh came out to bat, but was not given a target!

And for the first 1.3 overs, the Bangladeshi Tigers did not know where they were heading. The umpires then stopped play, and the numbers were worked out. It was finally decided that Bangladesh would be chasing a target of 170 for victory in 16 overs.

The Bangladesh target is revised yet again!

But then, once again, the officials decided that the target needs to be revised. After 14.1 overs, it was decided that Bangladesh would be chasing 171 for victory, instead of 170. It was total chaos. And in the end, it was the Black Caps who had the last laugh, as Bangladesh could only manage to score 142/7 in their allotted 16 overs, and the Kiwis scampered to victory, beating their opposition by 28 runs.

New Zealand batsman Glenn Philips was awarded the Player of the Match award for his scintillating 31-ball 58* lower down the order. For the visitors, it was Soumya Sarkar who lent some respectability to the total and smashed a whirlwind 27-ball 51. New Zealand has now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. The third and final rubber will take place in Auckland on 1st April 2021.