Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 6 wickets (Pic credit: BCB) Towhid Hridoy produced a sensational unbeaten half-century to guide Bangladesh to an impressive six-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening T20I on Monday. Chasing a stiff target of 183, Bangladesh found themselves in early trouble at 77 for three in the 11th over, with the New Zealand bowlers firmly in control. However, Hridoy’s calculated aggression turned the game on its head as he finished with a match-winning 51 off just 27 balls, with two fours and three sixes.He first put together a crucial 57-run stand with Parvez Hossain, who chipped in with a brisk 28 off 14 deliveries, before adding an unbeaten partnership with Shami Hossain that had 49 runs. Shamim provided the impetus for the finish with a quickfire 31 not out off 13 balls as Bangladesh raced to 183 for four with two overs to spare to ensure an emphatic start to the series.
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Yuzvendra Chahal on team mentality, high scores and bowling challenges in IPLA strong New Zealand total goes to wasteEarlier, New Zealand posted a competitive 182 for six after electing to bat, riding on impressive half-centuries from Dane Cleaver and Katene Clarke, both of whom made 51. The pair shared a solid 88-run partnership for the second wicket after Tim Robinson was out for a duck early on. At that stage, it looked like the visitors, on a good pitch, would be set for an even bigger total.However, Bangladesh clawed their way back through leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who struck twice in quick succession to remove both set batsmen and halt the momentum. The pace trio of Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and debutant Ripon Mondol effectively tightened their lines and lengths after an initially wayward start. Tanzim’s Bevin Jacobs goal further disrupted New Zealand’s progress.Stand-in captain Nick Kelly tried to steady the innings before a brief interruption due to bad light, while Josh Clarkson’s unbeaten 27 off 14 balls provided a late boost to push the total past 180.Despite a promising start with the ball, highlighted by Ish Sodhi’s 2 for 40, New Zealand failed to contain Bangladesh’s middle-order surge. The three-match series will now shift to Chattogram on Wednesday, where Bangladesh hold a 1-0 lead.
