T20I against Kiwis in New zealand: Bangladesh pocket maiden victory

Sports Reporter :
The Tigers achieved the maiden and historic Twenty20 International (T20I) win against the Kiwis in New Zealand (NZ) after defeating the Black Caps by five wicket in the first T20I at the McLean Park in Napier on Wednesday.

Chasing New Zealand’s fighting total of 134 for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs, Bangladesh sailed home making 137 for the loss of five wickets when they had eight balls to spare. Bangladesh lost their early two wickets for 38 runs.

Opener Litton Das and second-down Soumya Sarkar repaired the damage contributing together 29 runs for the third wicket partnership before Soumya was bowled out by Ben Sears when the visitors’ total was 67 for the loss of three wickets. Soumya scored 22 from 15 balls featuring two fours and a sixer.

After Somya’s dismissal, Litton and third-down Towhid Hridoy contributing together 29 runs in the four wicket stand before Hridoy (19) was caught at the short extra cover by Tim Southee off Mitchell Santner when Bangladesh’s score was 96 for the loss of four wickets.

Four-down Afif Hossain failed to shine with the willow as he (1) was caught at the short midwicket by James Neesham off Tim Southee when the tourists’ total was 97 for the loss of five wickets.

Then Litton and fifth-down Mahedi Hasan guided their team to anchor the victory target scoring together 40 runs for the unbroken sixth partnership.
Litton remained unbeaten with 42 runs. His 36-ball innings was belted with two fours and a sixer.

Mahedi remained unbeaten with 19 runs. He hit one six and one four in his 16-ball innings. He captured two wickets for 14 runs. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.

Earlier, the Kiwis lost their early four wickets for 20 runs. Third-down Mark Chapman and fourth-down James Neesham built a notable partnership.

They put on together 30 runs in the five-wicket stand before Mark Chapman (19) was caught at the deep cover point by Tanzim Hasan off Rishad Hossain when New Zealand’s score was 50 for the loss of five wickets.

Neesham and Mitchell Santner made another remarkable partnership scoring together 41 runs in the sixth wicket stand before Santner (23) was caught at the midwicket by Soumya Sarkar off Shoriful Islam when the hosts’ total was 91 for the loss of six wickets.

After Santner’s departure, New Zealand failed to build any notable partnership against the tight, controlled and superb bowling attack of Bangladesh bowlers.

Neesham cracked a windy 48. His 29-ball innings was studded with three sixes and four fours.

Shoriful Islam claimed three wickets in the space of 26 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman bagged two wickets for 15 runs. Rishad Hossain and Tanzim Hasan picked up one wicket each for 24 and 45 runs respectively.