Bangladesh scripted a historic victory against New Zealand in the first T20 International, securing a stunning five-wicket win in Napier.
The match unfolded as a display of spirited performances, marking Bangladesh’s maiden T20I triumph on New Zealand soil.
Opting to bowl first, Bangladesh’s bowlers engineered New Zealand’s downfall, restricting the hosts to a modest 134 for 9 in their 20 overs.
Shoriful Islam and Mahedi Hasan emerged as the chief architects of Bangladesh’s bowling attack, claiming three wickets and two wickets, respectively. Mustafizur Rahman’s precision further compounded the Kiwi batting lineup, stifling their momentum with economical figures of 2 for 15.
The chase of 135, though seemingly manageable, witnessed early tremors for Bangladesh as they lost wickets at regular intervals. However, opener Litton Das showcased resilience and composure, steering the innings with a vigilant 42 not out, eventually guiding Bangladesh to a thrilling victory. Mahedi Hasan’s all-round brilliance also played a crucial role in the triumph, contributing significantly with both bat and ball.
Bangladesh’s resilience in the face of pressure, anchored by Litton’s steadiness and Mahedi’s crucial partnership, ultimately turned the tide in their favor. The win marks Bangladesh’s first-ever triumph in a T20I contest against New Zealand on Kiwi soil, amplifying their confidence as they eye further success in the remaining matches of the series. With the series now shifting to Mount Maunganui, Bangladesh aims to capitalize on this momentum to clinch the series, setting the stage for an intense and competitive battle ahead.
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Crifosports/27Decmber23/OF/MA
