183/4 (18.0)
CRR : 10.17
182/6 (20.0)
CRR : 9.10
Bangladesh won by 6 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Player
51(27)*
BAN won by 6 wickets
5:19 PM IST & 5:49 PM Local Time: What a sensational run chase this has been from Bangladesh as they go 1-0 up in this 3-match T20I series, winning by 6 wickets with 12 balls to spare. This also marks their highest successful run chase since 2025.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl first. New Zealand suffered an early setback as Tim Robinson was run out for a duck in just the second over. After that, Dane Cleaver and Katene Clarke steadied the innings with a solid partnership, adding 88 runs for the second wicket and laying a strong platform for a big total. Both batters looked in great touch but fell soon after reaching their half-centuries, each departing on 51.
New Zealand kept the scoreboard moving with useful contributions down the order, as Nick Kelly chipped in with 39 off 27 and Josh Clarkson provided a late push with an unbeaten 27 off 14. There was a brief interruption due to bad light in the latter half of the innings, which seemed to disrupt their rhythm as wickets started to fall at regular intervals. Despite that, New Zealand managed to post a competitive 182/6 from their 20 overs. Rishad Hossain (2/32) was the standout performer with the ball for Bangladesh.
In reply, New Zealand were spot on with the ball in the powerplay, keeping things tight and disciplined. The opening stand of 41 was finally broken by Nathan Smith, who picked up his maiden T20I wicket by dismissing Saif Hassan. Tanzid Hasan struggled to get going, while Litton Das tried to accelerate but fell for 21 off 15 balls. At the halfway mark, Bangladesh were 77/2, needing 106 runs off 60 balls, and at that stage, New Zealand were firmly in control.
Tanzid’s struggle ended as he departed on the very first ball of the 11th over, but that’s when the momentum began to shift. Towhid Hridoy and Parvez Hossain Emon launched a counterattack, stitching together a rapid 57-run stand off just 28 balls for the fourth wicket. The pressure quickly turned on the visitors as Bangladesh began to close the gap.
With 53 needed off the last 5 overs, Emon fell in the 15th over for a brisk 28 off 14 balls. Shamim Hossain (31* off 13) then joined Hridoy (51* off 27), and the pair took complete control of the chase. They added an unbeaten 49 runs off just 21 balls, finishing the game in style. The 17th over from Matthew Fisher proved costly as he conceded 25 runs, which sealed the momentum entirely. Bangladesh chased it down comfortably, winning by 6 wickets with 12 balls to spare. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl first. New Zealand suffered an early setback as Tim Robinson was run out for a duck in just the second over. After that, Dane Cleaver and Katene Clarke steadied the innings with a solid partnership, adding 88 runs for the second wicket and laying a strong platform for a big total. Both batters looked in great touch but fell soon after reaching their half-centuries, each departing on 51.
New Zealand kept the scoreboard moving with useful contributions down the order, as Nick Kelly chipped in with 39 off 27 and Josh Clarkson provided a late push with an unbeaten 27 off 14. There was a brief interruption due to bad light in the latter half of the innings, which seemed to disrupt their rhythm as wickets started to fall at regular intervals. Despite that, New Zealand managed to post a competitive 182/6 from their 20 overs. Rishad Hossain (2/32) was the standout performer with the ball for Bangladesh.
In reply, New Zealand were spot on with the ball in the powerplay, keeping things tight and disciplined. The opening stand of 41 was finally broken by Nathan Smith, who picked up his maiden T20I wicket by dismissing Saif Hassan. Tanzid Hasan struggled to get going, while Litton Das tried to accelerate but fell for 21 off 15 balls. At the halfway mark, Bangladesh were 77/2, needing 106 runs off 60 balls, and at that stage, New Zealand were firmly in control.
Tanzid’s struggle ended as he departed on the very first ball of the 11th over, but that’s when the momentum began to shift. Towhid Hridoy and Parvez Hossain Emon launched a counterattack, stitching together a rapid 57-run stand off just 28 balls for the fourth wicket. The pressure quickly turned on the visitors as Bangladesh began to close the gap.
With 53 needed off the last 5 overs, Emon fell in the 15th over for a brisk 28 off 14 balls. Shamim Hossain (31* off 13) then joined Hridoy (51* off 27), and the pair took complete control of the chase. They added an unbeaten 49 runs off just 21 balls, finishing the game in style. The 17th over from Matthew Fisher proved costly as he conceded 25 runs, which sealed the momentum entirely. Bangladesh chased it down comfortably, winning by 6 wickets with 12 balls to spare. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
Most runs conceded by a New Zealand bowler on a T20I debut:
0/53 - Matt Fisher vs Bangladesh, Chattogram, 2026 (TODAY)*
1/50 - Daryl Tuffey vs Australia, Auckland, 2005
0/46 - Adam Milne vs Pakistan, Auckland, 2010
0/53 - Matt Fisher vs Bangladesh, Chattogram, 2026 (TODAY)*
1/50 - Daryl Tuffey vs Australia, Auckland, 2005
0/46 - Adam Milne vs Pakistan, Auckland, 2010
5:28 PM IST, 5:58 PM Local Time: It's time for the post-match presentation.......
Nick Kelly (New Zealand Captain): "(Nearly won the game?) Yeah, I thought 180 was a pretty competitive total on that surface. At the halfway mark, we felt we were probably just above par, so we were happy with it, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough tonight.
(After halfway mark) Yeah, definitely after the 10-over mark, we felt we were on top. But it just shows in T20 cricket—you can’t let the fielding side settle, even after a couple of wickets. When Sodhi got that third wicket, we thought we were right on top and could squeeze them for a few overs, but that wasn’t the case. They came out with great intent, and once the batters got in, they were able to play their shots. Our execution just wasn’t quite where it needed to be today.
(10-15 runs short?) Yeah, when you lose a game, you always feel you probably needed a few more runs. Their six-hitting tonight was impressive—I think they hit around eight or nine sixes, while we were probably closer to four or five. That was likely the key difference. But we’ll learn from today and come back in a couple of days ready to go again."
(After halfway mark) Yeah, definitely after the 10-over mark, we felt we were on top. But it just shows in T20 cricket—you can’t let the fielding side settle, even after a couple of wickets. When Sodhi got that third wicket, we thought we were right on top and could squeeze them for a few overs, but that wasn’t the case. They came out with great intent, and once the batters got in, they were able to play their shots. Our execution just wasn’t quite where it needed to be today.
(10-15 runs short?) Yeah, when you lose a game, you always feel you probably needed a few more runs. Their six-hitting tonight was impressive—I think they hit around eight or nine sixes, while we were probably closer to four or five. That was likely the key difference. But we’ll learn from today and come back in a couple of days ready to go again."
Player of the Match: Towhid Hridoy
Towhid Hridoy (Player of the Match): "(On the surface) Yes, the pitch was a really good one to bat on.
(What was going through his mind when he walked out to bat?) Actually, I was thinking about the situation. I was a bit nervous but I played accordingly. At that time, we needed to score some quick runs and that's why I was attacking.
(On Shamim) Yeah, Shamim batted exceptionally well. I enjoyed batting along with him. He was outstanding."
(What was going through his mind when he walked out to bat?) Actually, I was thinking about the situation. I was a bit nervous but I played accordingly. At that time, we needed to score some quick runs and that's why I was attacking.
(On Shamim) Yeah, Shamim batted exceptionally well. I enjoyed batting along with him. He was outstanding."
Litton Das (Bangladesh Captain): "(Good win?) Yeah, definitely. It was a really good match, especially the way we batted. I’m really happy with how Hridoy played—he took the game away for us. Emon and Hridoy did well in the middle, and Shamim finished it off nicely.
(On losing just one wicket in the powerplay) 183 is a big total on this ground because the wicket wasn’t easy to bat on—it was quite slow. During the break, I mentioned that we needed a good powerplay. If you get a strong start in the powerplay, it becomes easier later on. The way Emon, Hridoy, and Shamim batted in the middle overs made it look easy, but it definitely wasn’t.
(On his 21-run knock) The wicket was a bit up and down. I prefer a good, even surface to bat on—when the ball keeps low, it’s not easy."
(On losing just one wicket in the powerplay) 183 is a big total on this ground because the wicket wasn’t easy to bat on—it was quite slow. During the break, I mentioned that we needed a good powerplay. If you get a strong start in the powerplay, it becomes easier later on. The way Emon, Hridoy, and Shamim batted in the middle overs made it look easy, but it definitely wasn’t.
(On his 21-run knock) The wicket was a bit up and down. I prefer a good, even surface to bat on—when the ball keeps low, it’s not easy."
Right then! A high-scoring contest comes to an end here in Chattogram and it’s the hosts, Bangladesh who come out on top against this young New Zealand side. A well-paced run chase sees them take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match T20I series, winning the opening game by 6 wickets. Do join us again on Wednesday for the second T20I.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash who, along with scorer Yogesh Kumar brought all the actions of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash who, along with scorer Yogesh Kumar brought all the actions of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋