At a glance
- Bangladesh chase 183 for 4 with 12 balls to spare in Chattogram thriller
- Towhid Hridoy 51* off 27 and Shamim 31* off 13 seal record T20I run-chase
- Rishad Hossain 2 for 32 restricts New Zealand to 182 for 6 despite two fifties
Bangladesh produced a stirring run-chase in Chattogram as Towhid Hridoy, Parvez Hossain and Shamim Hossain combined to overhaul a challenging New Zealand total and seal a memorable six-wicket victory in the opening T20I, continuing their momentum after a recent ODI series win over New Zealand.
Set 183 for victory, the hosts reached 183 for 4 with 12 balls to spare, recording their highest successful chase at home. At the heart of the effort was Hridoy, whose unbeaten 51 off 27 balls blended composure with intent. The innings carried added weight after recent scrutiny of his form, and he responded with authority.
Bangladesh 183 for 4 (Hridoy 51*, Shamim 31*, Sodhi 2-40) beat New Zealand 182 for 6 (Cleaver 51, Clarke 51, Rishad 2-32) by six wickets. View the full scorecard here.
Bangladesh Complete Record-Breaking Run Chase Against New Zealand
Bangladesh’s reply began without fluency. Tanzid Hasan survived an early scare but struggled to find rhythm, while Saif Hassan made 17 off 16 balls and captain Litton Das added 21 off 14 balls without breaking free. The scoring rate hovered around seven an over, and when Litton and Tanzid, who made 20 off 21 balls, departed in quick succession, the chase threatened to drift.
The shift in momentum came swiftly. Hridoy signalled intent with a towering six, and Parvez followed with a flurry of boundaries that reignited the pursuit. Their 57-run stand for the fourth wicket injected urgency and placed Bangladesh back on course.
Hridoy, Parvez and Shamim Turn the Chase Around
Parvez fell after a lively 28 off 14 balls, leaving Bangladesh needing 49 from 31 balls. Shamim ensured there would be no late wobble. His unbeaten 31 off 13 balls was fearless and inventive, highlighted by a stunning no-look six that lifted the crowd. Alongside Hridoy, he dismantled the bowling in the closing overs, including a decisive 25-run 17th over that effectively ended the contest.
Rishad Leads Fightback as New Zealand Fall Short
Earlier, New Zealand posted 182 for 6, a competitive total that promised a tight contest. Dane Cleaver and Katene Clarke both struck half-centuries to anchor the innings, while stand-in captain Nick Kelly added impetus late on with a brisk 39 off 27 balls. Yet a slowdown through the middle overs proved costly as the visitors fell short of pushing beyond the 200-run mark.
Clarke set the tone early, while Cleaver mixed power with innovation using scoops and reverse-sweeps in their 88-run stand. Rishad Hossain turned the tide with 2 for 32 in 4 overs, removing both set batters.
Kelly’s late flourish, which included five fours and one six, added respectability, but Bangladesh’s bowlers ensured the total remained within reach. What followed was a chase defined by resilience and flair, with Hridoy and his partners delivering a statement performance that sets an encouraging tone for the series.
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