Following a dominant bowling performance, Bangladesh registered their first-ever T20I victory against New Zealand in the first of the five T20Is at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur Wednesday.
After bundling out an inexperienced New Zealand side for 60 in 16.5 overs — Kiwis’ joint-lowest total in T20Is — Bangladesh romped to victory in 15 overs as they won the game by seven wickets.
The win also saw T20I skipper Mahmudullah Riyad become the most successful captain for Bangladesh in the format. Mahmudullah now has led Bangladesh to 11 victories in 23 T20Is, surpassing the previous best of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who led the Tigers to 10 victories in 28 T20Is.
Shakib Al Hasan, who was adjudged the player-of-the-series against Australia in a five-match T20I series last month, put in yet another all-round performance as he scored 25 off 33 deliveries and picked up two wickets giving away just 10 runs in his four overs.
Bangladesh bowlers ran a riot in a slow and low Mirpur pitch today, with spinners leading the charge. Shakib, Nasum Ahmed and Mohammad Saifuddin took two wickets each while pacer Mustafizur Rahman scalped three for 13 in 2.5 overs.
Chasing the meagre target, Bangladesh lost two openers early for cheap scores but a contribution from Shakib followed by unbeaten scores of 16 and 14 from Mushfiqur Rahim and skipper Mahmudullah saw the Tigers register an easy victory with 30 balls to spare.
Shakib departs after 30-run stand with Mushfiqur
There might not have been any scoreboard pressure on Bangladesh as they had bundled out New Zealand for a paltry score of 60, but the two quick wickets of openers Mohammad Naim and Liton Das had seen the Tigers in a bit of trouble. The experienced pair of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim then brought some stability before the former was dismissed in the 10th over after a 33-ball 25.
Shakib, trying to cut a turning away delivery from Rachin Ravindra, ended up edging it back to wicketkeeper and Kiwi skipper Tom Latham, who took a sharp catch. The wicket also ended a 30-run stand between Shakib and Mushfiqur.
Bangladesh, however, still look favorites to notch up their first-ever T20I win against New Zealand.
Openers Naim, Liton fall for cheap scores
Chasing a paltry total of 60 posted by New Zealand, Bangladesh lost openers Mohammad Naim and Liton Das early in the first of the five-match T20I series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.
Naim (1 off 6) was the first one to fall in the second over as a flighted delivery from debutant Cole McConchie enticed the left-hander for a drive that only found the hands of the fielder at short cover.
Liton (1 off 3) fell in the next over. The right-hander was lured out of the crease by left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel. Liton missed the ball completely and skipper Latham made no mistake in knocking the bells off for a stumped out.
