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Brendon McCullum lifts Black Caps to second T20 win

New Zealand have beaten the Netherlands by six wickets to set up a do-or-die final group game against Sri Lanka at the World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh.

Captain Brendon McCullum struck a 45-ball 65 to help his team haul in the Dutch tally of 4-151 at Chittagong.

They reached 4-152 with an over to spare to move level with Sri Lanka on four points in group one.

Both teams have two wins from three, meaning whoever wins their game in Chittagong on Monday will join South Africa as the second team to advance to the semi-finals. If the match is abandoned or tied, Sri Lanka will advance courtesy of a superior net run rate.

South Africa booked their spot with a three-run win over England on Saturday.

The Dutch provided the Black Caps with a doughty challenge, helped by a 60-run stand for the fourth wicket off just 35 balls between Peter Borren (49) and Tom Cooper (40 not out).

Spinner Nathan McCullum took 1-20 off his four overs while seamer Trent Boult, playing his first T20 international for more than a year, took 1-25.

Boult and allrounder James Neesham replaced Tim Southee and Colin Munro from the team who lost to South Africa on Monday.

After a restrained start to the chase from openers Kane Williamson (29 off 22) and Martin Guptill (9 off 15), McCullum took control with an innings which featured three sixes and four fours.

Some early boundaries and hard-running wrested the match in New Zealand’s favour before he pummelled 30 from his last 12 balls, leaving Corey Anderson and Neesham with a straightforward task to see New Zealand home.

McCullum became the first player to surpass 2000 runs in T20 internationals.

His 2044 runs is 600 more than the second-highest scorer, Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene.

Boult said the value of McCullum – who six weeks ago scored a match-saving triple century in the third Test against India in Wellington – could not be overstated.

“It’s pretty well known across the world what kind of player Brendon is. For him to tick up that milestone is pretty satisfying for him personally and something the team love to see,” he said.

“He’s a massive part of our side.”

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