Published: 11:48 AM, 28 April 2026
Bangladesh thrash New Zealand in first T20
Bangladesh players celebrate after taking a wicket against New Zealand at BirShresthaShaheed Flight Lieutenant MatiurRahman Stadium in Chattogram on Monday. -Facebook
Bangladesh batsman TawhidHridoy smashed an unbeaten half century as Bangladesh pulled off a comprehensive six-wicket win in the three-match T20 International series opener at BirShresthaShaheed Flight Lieutenant MatiurRahman Stadium in Chattogram on Monday.
Chasing a challenging 183 for win, TawhidHridoy posted an unbeaten 27-ball 51 where he put on a game changing partnership with ParvenHossainEmon and ShamimHossain as Bangladesh chased down the goal with 12 balls to spare.
Emon was dismissed for 28 while Shamim was unbeaten on 31. Hridoy's innings was laced by two fours and three sixes.
Dane Cleaver and Katene Clarke scored rapid half-centuries to propel New Zealand to 182-6.
After Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field at the BirSreshtho Flight Lieutenant MatiurRahman Stadium, the hosts' bowling attack, led by leg-spinner RishadHossain (2-32), successfully pulled back the scoring rate following a dominant New Zealand powerplay.
New Zealand suffered an early setback when Tim Robinson was run out for a duck in the second over. However, Cleaver quickly shifted the momentum, playing a creative innings featuring scoops and classical shots.
He struck seven boundaries and a six in his 28-ball 51. Clarke, who survived a dropped catch by Saif Hassan on 44, anchored the other end to score 51 off 37 deliveries.
The pair built an 88-run partnership before Rishad broke through, trapping Cleaver lbw. Both set batters were dismissed shortly after reaching their half-centuries while attempting reverse sweeps.
Following the breakthrough, Bangladesh restricted New Zealand's middle order as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Captain Nick Kelly attempted to rebuild with a composed 39 off 27 balls, but his departure in the 18th over, caught off Shoriful Islam (1-36), stalled the visitors' push for a 200-plus total. Josh Clarkson added an unbeaten 27 from 14 balls in the final overs to ensure a competitive score.
MahediHasan and TanzimHasanSakib claimed one wicket apiece. Ripon Mondol delivered a precise final over, utilizing yorkers to concede only six runs. However, he ended up giving up 39 runs in four overs.
The match marks Bangladesh's return to the T20 format after playing their last series against Ireland in November 2025.
Pace bowler Ripon Mondol was drafted into the squad as the only new face, although he played the Asia Games in 2023, which the ICC marked as International matches.
New Zealand fielded a fresh squad, with IshSodhi the only member remaining from their recent World Cup campaign.
The visitors were led by Nick Kelly after regular captain Tom Latham suffered a toe injury during a practice session.
Bangladesh won the preceding ODI series 2-1, despite losing the first match.
Line Ups:
Bangladesh:
TanzidHasanTamim, Saif Hassan, Liton Das (capt&wk), ParvezHossainEmon,
TowhidHridoy, ShamimPatwari, MahediHasan, RishadHossain, TanzimHasanSakib, Shoriful Islam, Ripon Mondol.
New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly (capt), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, IshSodhi, Matthew Fisher, Ben Lister
