PALLEKELE, Sept 21:
Brendon McCullum today became the first cricketer to score two centuries in Twenty20 Internationals as New Zealand launched their ICC World T20 campaign with a crushing 59-run victory over Bangladesh here.
McCullum (123) was in devastating form as he butchered the Bangladesh bowlers with 11 fours and seven sixes in his 58-ball knock to guide New Zealand to 191 for three after being asked to bat in the opening Group D match at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a mammoth target of 192, the highest so far in this edition of the ICC World Twenty20, Bangladesh could score just 132 for eight. Kyle Mills (3/33) triggered a Bangladesh top-order collapse with pace colleague Tim Southee chipping in with three wickets for just 16 runs.
McCullum, whose blitzkrieg left the sparse crowd at the stadium spellbound, was on a record-breaking spree as his hundred was the highest score in any Twenty20 International as well as in the short history of ICC World T20.
His earlier T20 International hundred — 116 not out — came in February 2010 in Christchurch against Australia. (PTI)
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