At a glance
- New Zealand secure 26-run win over Bangladesh to take 1-0 series lead after dramatic late collapse
- Blair Tickner stars with 4-40 as Bangladesh lose 6 wickets for 37 runs in failed chase
- Half-centuries from Henry Nicholls and Dean Foxcroft power New Zealand to competitive 247
New Zealand seized control of the series with a tense 26-run win over Bangladesh, as the visitors held their composure in a gripping finish. With this result, New Zealand lead 1-0, thanks largely to Blair Tickner’s match defining spell that flipped the contest in a matter of overs.
New Zealand 247 for 8 (Nicholls 68, Foxcroft 59, Shoriful 2-27) beat Bangladesh 221 (Saif 57, Hridoy 55, Tickner 4-40, Smith 3-4) by 26 runs
View the full scorecard here.
Tickner inspires collapse as New Zealand lead series charge
Chasing 248, Bangladesh looked firmly in contention before a sudden collapse derailed their pursuit. From 194 for 5, the innings unraveled quickly, ending at 221 all out after losing six wickets for just 37 runs.
Death bowling masterclass seals the game
Tickner’s impact was swift and decisive. The right-arm seamer mixed his pace cleverly and extracted bounce to unsettle the batters. Mehidy Hasan Miraz fell attempting an inventive shot, edging behind, before Tickner struck twice in successive balls in the 46th over to remove Rishad Hossain and Shoriful Islam. He then dismissed Taskin Ahmed to cap a brilliant spell, before Nathan Smith closed out the match with nine balls remaining.
Bangladesh’s innings had been shaped by Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy, who scored 57 and 55 respectively. Their partnership kept the chase alive, but a slowdown in scoring proved costly as the required rate climbed steadily. Once the key stand was broken in the later overs, the pressure intensified and wickets began to fall in clusters.
Foxcroft and Nicholls set platform for New Zealand lead
Earlier, New Zealand posted 247 for 8 from their 50 overs. Dean Foxcroft and Henry Nicholls led the charge with well crafted half-centuries. Their partnership steadied the innings and helped build a defendable total. Contributions across the lineup maintained momentum through the middle overs.
Bangladesh’s bowlers kept things tight for long stretches. Shoriful Islam impressed on his return to one-day international cricket with 2 for 27 from 10 overs, while Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed claimed two wickets each.
There were moments that could have altered the course of the game early on. Saif Hassan survived a chance on 1 when a straightforward slip catch was put down, while Will Young was also reprieved in similar fashion. In the end, those missed opportunities added intrigue but New Zealand made the decisive breakthroughs.
With a composed and clinical finish, New Zealand will take significant confidence from this victory. Meanwhile, Bangladesh are left to reflect on a promising position that slipped away under pressure.
Stay up to date with all the latest internaional cricket content with ReadCricket
