- News
- Sports News
- Cricket News
- BAN vs NZ Highlights, 1st T20I: Towhid Hridoy's 27-ball 51 powers Bangladesh to a six-wicket win over New Zealand
BAN vs NZ Highlights, 1st T20I: Towhid Hridoy's 27-ball 51 powers Bangladesh to a six-wicket win over New Zealand
The start, however, was far from ideal. Bangladesh had a subdued powerplay and lost Saif Hassan early, while Tanzid Hasan struggled to time the ball. Litton Das looked promising but couldn’t capitalise on his start, leaving Bangladesh needing a strong middle-phase recovery. That came through Towhid Hridoy and Emon, who combined aggression with smart shot selection. Their partnership brought momentum back, with both batters finding boundaries consistently and unsettling the Kiwi attack.
Although Emon fell after a brisk cameo, Shamim Hossain ensured there was no let-up. Taking advantage of erratic bowling from New Zealand’s relatively inexperienced seamers, Shamim attacked from the outset and kept the required rate firmly in check. Hridoy, meanwhile, played the anchor’s role to perfection, pacing his innings beautifully en route to a match-winning fifty.
New Zealand skipper Nick Kelly felt his side had a competitive total and even sensed control midway through the chase, but admitted they failed to sustain pressure after key breakthroughs. Hridoy praised Shamim’s impact, while Litton noted that batting wasn’t straightforward due to variable bounce, making the fluent chase even more impressive.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Dane Cleaver, SIX! Brilliant start by Cleaver. Pre-meditates the line here, he steps across, picks the length and paddles it over fine leg for a biggie.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Dane Cleaver, FOUR! Nicely played! Touch fuller and on middle. Cleaver punches it across, past mid-wicket and it rolls into the fence.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Dane Cleaver, Pushes it full and on middle, slower delivery. Cleaver picks the pace and whips it through mid-wicket for a couple more.
- Katene Clarke 12 (10)
- Dane Cleaver 12 (7)
Ripon Mondol to Katene Clarke, Lands safely! Short of a length, on middle. Katene Clarke gets inside the line, bends low and pulls it across. It goes off the higher part of the blade over mid-wicket for a brace.
Ripon Mondol to Dane Cleaver, Fuller delivery, around off, nipping in. Cleaver tries to hit it straight but plays off the inner half of the bat to mid on for one.
Ripon Mondol to Katene Clarke, Back of a length, outside off. Katene Clarke cuts it to deep point for a single.
Ripon Mondol to Dane Cleaver, Closer to the off pole, hard length. Cleaver steers it to third man for a single.
Ripon Mondol to Dane Cleaver, FOUR! Ripon Mondol delivers a freebie now. Short in length and wide of off. Dane Cleaver stays back and punches it nicely through point for a boundary.
Ripon Mondol to Katene Clarke, Good length delivery on middle. Katene Clarke turns it to mid-wicket for a single.
- Dane Cleaver 6 (4)
- Katene Clarke 8 (7)
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Dane Cleaver, FOUR! Uses the feet again. Sakib bowls it short and wide of off. Cleaver frees his arms and deposits it over extra-cover for a one-bounce four. A freebie and it is hit away.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Dane Cleaver, On a good length and around off. Cleaver punches it to cover.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Dane Cleaver, Short of a good length, outside off. Cleaver steps down and flashes his blade. The extra bounce takes the edge towards third man for a brace.
Dane Cleaver walks in.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Dane Cleaver, Pitches up an outswinger, outside off. Cleaver drives it to cover.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Katene Clarke, OUT! TIM IS RUN OUT! Oh, there was never a run there. A good length delivery, around off. Katene Clarke steps down and punches it to short cover. Slight hesitation between the batters and they still go for the run. Tawhid Hridoy picks up and hits at the stumps at the batter's end. Tim Robinson was not even in the frame.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Katene Clarke, Touch fuller, around off, little bit of movement. Katene Clarke knocks it to cover.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to bowl from the other end.
- Tim Robinson 0 (1)
- Katene Clarke 8 (5)
Shoriful Islam to Tim Robinson, An inswinging fuller length delivery on middle. Robinson respectfully blocks it out.
Shoriful Islam to Katene Clarke, Leg bye! Bowls it straight again, on the pads. Katene Clarke looks to flick as he walks down but misses. It rolls off the pads to short fine leg for one.
Shoriful Islam to Katene Clarke, FOUR! Easy pickings! Shoriful Islam bowls it on the pads, fuller length. Katene Clarke clips it over mid-wicket and it speeds into the fence.
Shoriful Islam to Katene Clarke, Wide! Keeps it short and bowls it on leg. Katene Clarke steps down and across to pull it away but misses.
Shoriful Islam to Katene Clarke, On a good length, around off. Katene Clarke punches it to cover.
Shoriful Islam to Katene Clarke, Wide! Shorter delivery, around leg with a hint of swing. Katene Clarke steps across to pull but misses.
Shoriful Islam to Katene Clarke, Back of a length delivery, on top of off. Katene Clarke blocks it on the deck.
Shoriful Islam to Katene Clarke, FOUR! New Zealand are underway in style. Islam angles away a length ball, wide outside off. Katene Clarke flashes his blade and hits it aerially over point for a boundary.
All set for action. The Bangladeshi players are out in the middle. Tim Robinson and Katene Clarke to open for New Zealand. Shoriful Islam to bowl first. A slip in place. Let's play...
Time for the national anthems. It will be of the visiting team first, followed by that of the hosts.
New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (WK), Nick Kelly (C), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Matthew Fisher, Ben Lister.
PITCH REPORT - HD Ackerman reports that the Chattogram pitch, appearing as a belter with firm, true bounce, requires a score of 170-180 to be competitive, surpassing the historical average of 155. He notes that despite a slight tinge of green, the surface lacks significant turn and features an asymmetrical boundary, with a short 59m boundary to the off-side, the batters are likely to exploit that region.
Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (C)(WK), Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Ripon Mondol.
New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (WK), Nick Kelly (C), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Matthew Fisher, Ben Lister.
As the pitch slows down, Bangladesh’s spin duo of Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain could come into play, testing the visitors’ middle order. New Zealand, however, possess the firepower to counter spin if they settle in. With conditions expected to evolve, the team that adapts quicker—especially in the middle overs—could take control of this series opener.
On a surface known for aiding batters early on, aggressive intent from both sides is expected. However, the real challenge for the visitors will come once spin is introduced. Bangladesh’s strength at home lies in their ability to control the middle overs, and their spinners will be key in slowing down the scoring rate.
If New Zealand manage to negotiate this phase effectively and build a solid platform, they could post a competitive total. Otherwise, Bangladesh’s disciplined attack could keep them in check in this high-stakes opener.
The biggest hurdle for the visitors will be handling Bangladesh’s spin attack in conditions that traditionally favour the hosts. With Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain expected to play pivotal roles, New Zealand’s middle order must find ways to rotate strike and counter the spin threat.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will look to leverage their home advantage and recent ODI success. With confidence high and conditions in their favour, the hosts enter as slight favourites. However, New Zealand’s fearless approach could make this a closely fought contest.
Captain Litton Das will be central to their plans, while the bowling unit—featuring Shoriful Islam and a promising spin attack—adds depth and variety. Winning the toss and choosing to bowl reflects their intent to control the game early.
New Zealand, meanwhile, will rely on their young brigade to deliver under pressure. The key for them will be adapting quickly to local conditions. With both teams eager to gain an early edge in the series, the opening clash promises a competitive and high-intensity battle in Chattogram.
The match dynamics will revolve around how effectively the visitors handle Bangladesh’s bowling, particularly in spin-friendly conditions as the game progresses. Early momentum will be crucial, especially in the Powerplay where aggressive intent can shift the balance.
For Bangladesh, playing at home provides a significant advantage, but they will need to execute their plans precisely. New Zealand, despite their inexperience, have shown glimpses of promise and will look to challenge the hosts. With both sides eager to assert themselves, the stage is set for an exciting opener.
Nick Kelly, the skipper of New Zealand - Kelly talks about Tom Latham's injury. Kelly says he got hit on the toes but should recover quickly. Adds they are happy to bat first, the boys know the conditions now and are ready to go. Reckons the players might not have played much international cricket but have played enough cricket. Tells they'll assess the conditions with the bat and later look for a competitive score.
The skipper of Bangladesh, Litton Das - Das says the looming threat of rain later in the evening is the primary tactical reason for chasing. Das mentions that they have opted for a balanced bowling attack consisting of three seamers and two specialist spinners, supported by a solid core of six frontline batters.
TOSS - Bangladesh have won the coin flip and they will be BOWLING first.
The chase began cautiously, with Bangladesh managing a quiet powerplay and losing Saif Hassan early. Tanzid Hasan struggled to find rhythm, while Litton Das showed flashes of intent with a few boundaries but failed to convert his start. However, the game turned with the arrival of Towhid Hridoy and Emon, who stitched together a fluent partnership. Their aggressive strokeplay, marked by regular boundaries, shifted the pressure back on New Zealand. Emon’s quickfire cameo ended against the run of play, but he had already laid a solid platform.
Shamim Hossain then carried forward the momentum with an attacking approach, exposing the inexperience of the Kiwi seamers, who faltered under pressure. Hridoy remained composed throughout, anchoring the chase with a superb half-century and guiding Bangladesh home comfortably.
New Zealand captain Nick Kelly admitted that 180 felt competitive but conceded that his side lost control after the 10th over. Hridoy, named Player of the Match, credited his partners, while Litton highlighted the difficulty of batting on a two-paced wicket.
Match Statistics
Venue
Bir Shrestho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium, Chattogram
