Bangladesh Crushes New Zealand

There was a slight sense of concern due to the large target, and the top order also disappointed initially. However, in the face of explosive batting from Towhid Hridoy and Shamim Patwari, that target suddenly seemed small. Litton Das's side made a triumphant start to the T20 series by crushing the Kiwis by 6 wickets in Chattogram.

Bangladesh's chase started well, with Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan Tamim putting together a 41-run opening stand in 5.3 overs. The trouble began as soon as Saif was dismissed for 17 off 16 balls. Captain Litton Das started strongly at number three, but after scoring 21 runs off 15 balls (including 2 fours and 1 six), he was clean-bowled while attempting a pull shot against Ish Sodhi. Tanzid, playing with an ODI-style temperament, failed to accelerate and was out for 20 off 25 balls.

Following the fall of three wickets for 77 runs, Bangladesh turned the tide. Towhid Hridoy and Parvez Emon launched a counter-attack, building a 57-run partnership off just 28 balls for the fourth wicket. Emon, who scored 28 off 14 balls, was caught at long-off while trying to hit Clarkson’s off-cutter for a six. Shamim Patwari then joined the explosive Hridoy. With 18 runs needed in the final three overs, Shamim’s three boundaries and a six in the 17th over brought victory within reach. Bangladesh won with 12 balls to spare.

Earlier this Monday, after losing the toss at the Birshrestha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram, New Zealand posted 182 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Tim Robinson (0) was run out with the score at just 11. However, the other opener, Katene Clarke, delivered an innings of 51 runs off 37 balls, featuring 7 fours and 1 six. Wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver, coming in at three, also played a blistering 51-run knock off 28 balls. Both fell victim to leg-spinner Rishad Hossain.

After racing to 100 runs in 10 overs, New Zealand managed only 30 runs in the following five overs as the Bangladeshi spinners applied the brakes. Play was briefly halted due to low light at 16.3 overs with the score at 151 for 5. Once play resumed, acting captain Nick Kelly was dismissed by Shoriful Islam for 39 off 27 balls. Ripon Mondol could have claimed a wicket in the final over, but Rishad Hossain dropped a catch off Clarkson, who remained unbeaten on 27 from 14 balls.

Among the bowlers, the three pacers were somewhat expensive. Shoriful took 1 for 36 in his 4 overs, Tanzim Sakib took 1 for 40 in his 4 overs, and Ripon remained wicketless, conceding 39 runs. Between the two spinners, Mahedi Hasan took one wicket for 31 runs, while Rishad Hossain claimed 2 wickets for 32 runs.