Bangladesh earned its first victory against New Zealand in the Twenty20 format in its 11th attempt with a seven-wicket win Wednesday to open the five-match series.
New Zealand was dismissed for its joint-lowest score of 60 in 16.5 overs. Bangladesh then recovered from 2-7 to seal the victory with five overs to spare, making 3-62.
Bangladesh has now bowled both New Zealand and Australia to their lowest T20 totals within one month. Bangladesh dismissed Australia for 62 in the fifth and final match in August to win the series 4-1.
Once again Bangladesh’ spinners and fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman played a key role on a slow, low surface, with the latter finishing on 3-13. Fellow pace bowler Saifuddin claimed two wickets while spinners Shakib Al Hasan, Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan shared the other five.
After Tom Latham opted to bat first the Kiwis were reduced to 4-9 in just the fourth over. Latham and Henry Nicholls then shared 34 runs for the fifth wicket but both perished to big shots against Saifuddin after scoring 18 runs apiece.
They were the only batsmen to reach double figures.
Off-spinner Cole McConchie, one of two Kiwi debutants, and left-arm spinner Azaz Patel gave the side a glimmer of hope by removing openers Mohammad Naim and Liton Das in quick succession.
But experienced Shakib Al Hasan made a valuable 25 off 33 balls before debutant Rachin Ravidra dismissed him for his maiden international wicket.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who returned to the squad after missing the Australia series, and skipper Mahmudullah then drove the side to victory.
The second match is on Friday, also in Dhaka
Paul
Roar Guru
We're in front with a lap to go.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Slow-ish start in game 2, but the runs flowed in the back 10 overs. Tigers will go into the UAE full of confidence - and form.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Sack him anyway :laughing:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Race to the bottom.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Beautiful weather in Dhaka today. Happy to see the Tigers wining regularly, but really would like to some runs being scored.
jman0076
Roar Rookie
Hmmmm... these pitches are gonna' play like a minefield, potentially we've gone into the series a spinner or two short. Surely the Blackcaps must have know this going into the series considering what happened to Australia?
Targa
Roar Rookie
The regular coach isn't over there. There is a fill-in for this tour.
Paul
Roar Guru
You sure we had a better team?
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
just remember sure either Bangladesh played well or we played poorly but Australia had a better team than us and were bowled out in their last game for62 only 2 more runs than we got and yes we were lucky to get 60
Soyaib Zihad
Roar Rookie
As a Bangladeshi, I hope we win 5-0 and keep the winning mojo and head over to the T20 WC.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Sack the coach!
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Man, what a hammering. Tigers are just outstanding at home aren't they.
Targa
Roar Rookie
The stupid thing is that due to NZ Cricket Players Association rules, none of the World T20 squad players were able to be picked. Some rules about number of bubbles and quarantine. The likes of Todd Astle and Mark Chapman probably won't play (much) in the World T20 unless there are injuries and would've been really useful last night to give more spin bowling options. Also the likes of Ross Taylor and Colin Munro might not be the future, but could've added useful runs.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
I feel Blackcaps shot themselves by not having latham and nicholls in the top 3/4. They're the two best blackcaps batsmen in this lineup so they needed to take responsibility. Pocknall saying NZ were 20-25 runs away from making it challenging is rubbish imo. Bangladesh batted in first gear with no scoreboard pressure. Tomorrow we should get a better game imo
Lara
Guest
Will that was a hiding. Great win to Bangladesh.
Paul
Roar Guru
This might put the Australian series into some sort of perspective. Great to see the Tigers doing so well. Touch wood they keep this form going into the WC.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Congrats Bangladesh. The likes of Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, and Will Young are all decent batsmen so hopefully they score some runs.