Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner held their nerves to help New Zealand chase down 137 runs on a difficult wicket for a series-leveling four-wicket win over Bangladesh in the rain-hit second Test on Saturday.

Phillips and Santner sha­red a 70-run partnership for the seventh wicket as New Ze­aland recovered from 69/6 to reach 139/6 on Day IV to give the team their first victory on Bangladesh soil since 2008.

The home side had won the first Test by 150 runs.

Phillips, who struck a 72-ball 87 in the first innings, hit off-spinner Mehidy Hasan for a boundary through cover to confirm the victory, remaining not out on 40 off 48 after smashing four fours and a six. Santner hit three fours and a six for his 39-ball 35 not out.

Phillips was also the key in helping the side take an eight-run lead when New Zealand were bowled out for 180 in the first innings, in reply to Bangladesh’s 172.

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel then claimed 6/57 as Ba­ngladesh were dismissed for 172 in their second innings, gi­ving New Zealand a 137-run target to win the match.

Mehidy had figures 3/52 and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam grabbed 2/58 as Bangladesh kept the hopes alive on an increasingly deteriorating pitch.

Pacer Shofirul Islam (1/9) broke through as he had De­von Conway (2) leg-before with a length delivery that kept pretty low.

Taijul got into the act with a flighted delivery that spun sharply to baffle Kane Willia­mson (11) before Mehidy joi­ned the party, extending He­nry Nicholls’ (3) lean patch.

From 33/3, Tom Latham made 26, but his vigil came to an end when Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto held onto an excellent catch at slip. But, Shanto put down the most crucial chance when he missed Phillips’ catch at slip off Mehidy when he was on zero.

Taijul dismissed Tom Bl­undell and Mehidy got the better of Daryl Mitchell, who scored 19, as Bangladesh se­emed to close in on victory.

But Phillips grew with confidence with the able support of Santner to ensure victory in Mirpur.

The entire second day and the first session of the third day were washed out due
to rain.