Bowlers help Bangladesh claim first T20 win over New Zealand
- 01 Sep 2021
Gulf Today Report
Bangladesh beat New Zealand and earned its first-ever victory against Kiwis in the Twenty20 format in its 11th attempt with a seven-wicket win on Wednesday at the She-e Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. The Kiwis were dismissed for its joint lowest T20 score of 60 in 16.5 overs.
Shakib Al Hasan made 25 as Bangladesh chased down their target in 15 overs to win by seven wickets and lead the five-match series 1-0 in Dhaka. But it was the bowlers who set up victory with Mustafizur Rahman taking three to dismiss New Zealand for their joint-lowest T20 total — the same score against Sri Lanka in 2014 at Chattogram - in 16.5 overs.
"Very good feeling to win the first match of the series, given the fact we've never won against New Zealand," said man of the match Shakib.
"This win will boost our confidence. We've been bowling really well through the Australia series and against New Zealand. Our batting is not up to the mark yet, but, having said that, the conditions are not easy for batting," Shakib said.
Skipper Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls scored 18 each while the rest of the batters failed to get into double digits. Spinners Nasum Ahmed, Shakib and pace bowler Mohammad Saifuddin took two wickets each.
Mahedi Hasan struck in the first over with debutant Rachin Ravindra out for a golden duck after being caught and bowled by the off-spinner. Shakib bowled Will Young for five and left-arm spinner Nasum then got two wickets in one over including Colin de Grandhomme, for one, to reduce New Zealand to 9-4.
Latham and Nicholls put on 34 runs for the fifth wicket but Saifuddin broke the stand with the captain's wicket to rattle New Zealand further. Debutant Cole McConchie was out for nought and Saifuddin sent back Nicholls as the New Zealand batting fell like a pack of cards.
The second T20 is on Friday with all the matches to be played at the same venue.
