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- BAN vs NZ Highlights, 1st T20I: Towhid Hridoy's 27-ball 51 powers Bangladesh to a six-wicket win over New Zealand
BAN vs NZ Highlights, 1st T20I: Towhid Hridoy's 27-ball 51 powers Bangladesh to a six-wicket win over New Zealand
The start, however, was far from ideal. Bangladesh had a subdued powerplay and lost Saif Hassan early, while Tanzid Hasan struggled to time the ball. Litton Das looked promising but couldn’t capitalise on his start, leaving Bangladesh needing a strong middle-phase recovery. That came through Towhid Hridoy and Emon, who combined aggression with smart shot selection. Their partnership brought momentum back, with both batters finding boundaries consistently and unsettling the Kiwi attack.
Although Emon fell after a brisk cameo, Shamim Hossain ensured there was no let-up. Taking advantage of erratic bowling from New Zealand’s relatively inexperienced seamers, Shamim attacked from the outset and kept the required rate firmly in check. Hridoy, meanwhile, played the anchor’s role to perfection, pacing his innings beautifully en route to a match-winning fifty.
New Zealand skipper Nick Kelly felt his side had a competitive total and even sensed control midway through the chase, but admitted they failed to sustain pressure after key breakthroughs. Hridoy praised Shamim’s impact, while Litton noted that batting wasn’t straightforward due to variable bounce, making the fluent chase even more impressive.
AIDOS! So, Bangladesh make it 3 out of 4 on this NZ tour of Bangladesh. They'll look to seal the series as these two will meet again on the 29th for the second T20I at 8 am GMT. You can join us earlier for the build up as well. Goodbye for now.
The winning skipper of Bangladesh, Litton Das - Das says it was a really good match, especially the way they batted. Reckons that Hridoy helped the team and even Emon and Shamim. Shares that 183 is a big total on this ground. The wicket was slow and they were looking for a good powerplay. On his knock, Das adds that the wicket was up and down. When the surface is flat, it is easy to bat on.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - For his excellent outing in the middle with the bat, scoring 51 off 27 balls, and helping his team get over the line, Tawhid Hridoy wins the Player Of The Match award. Tawhid says the pitch is a very good one to bat on and explains that when he walks out, his focus is on reading the situation and adapting accordingly. On his aggressive approach, Hridoy adds that with the team needing quick runs at that stage, he chose to play aggressively. Tawhid credits Shamim, noting that he bats exceptionally well and he enjoyed their partnership.
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Nick Kelly, the losing skipper of New Zealand! Kelly says that 180 felt like a competitive total on the surface and, at the halfway mark, thought they were slightly above par. Kelly adds that even after the 10-over mark, they were in control, especially when Ish Sodhi picked up the wicket of Tanzid Hasan, giving them the sense that they could tighten the game for a few overs. Kelly admits that T20 cricket can shift quickly, noting that they fail to maintain the pressure. Kelly reckons that once the batters settled in, they played their shots freely and that cost them the game
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New Zealand looked good with the bat - Earlier, New Zealand posted a competitive 182 on a favorable batting deck after being inserted to bat, headlined by a fiery powerplay performance. Despite an early setback with Tim Robinson being run out for a duck, Katene Clarke and Dane Cleaver stabilized the innings with aggressive strokeplay, propelling the Kiwis to 61 runs within the first six overs. Both batters reached their respective half-centuries, but Bangladesh found a breakthrough via Rishad Hossain, who removed both set players to trigger a slight collapse.While Bevon Jacobs and Dean Foxcroft failed to find their footing, Nick Kelly’s vital 39 and a late cameo from Josh Clarkson ensured the total remained formidable. Bangladesh’s spinners proved to be the most effective defensive unit, finishing with combined figures of 3/63, while Ripon Mondol provided a masterclass in death bowling by nailing his yorkers in the final over to limit the damage. Initially, Bangladesh were at risk of conceding more than 200 but the likes of Shoriful Islam and Ripon Mondol bowled brilliantly at the back end to pull things back in their favour.
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A comprehensive chase from the hosts - Bangladesh pull off a sensational run chase, overcoming a shaky start through the sheer intent shown by Towhid Hridoy and Parvez Hossain Emon. While the early pressure threatened to stall the innings, Emon’s aggressive strokeplay, highlighted by a couple of towering sixes, effectively shifted the momentum and allowed Hridoy to settle into his rhythm. Hridoy was the undisputed anchor of the pursuit, smashing a brilliant half-century off just 27 deliveries to keep the required rate under control. He found the perfect partner in Shamim Hossain, whose blistering 31 off 13 balls provided the final knockout blow, ensuring Bangladesh crossed the finish line with two full overs to spare.
- Tawhid Hridoy 51 (27)
- Shamim Hossain 31 (13)
Ben Lister to Tawhid Hridoy, That's the game for Bangladesh. Short and wide of off, Tawhid Hridoy jumps down the track and looks to cut it away. Gets a top-edge towards the third man region for a single to close the game. Bangladesh win by 6 wickets.
Ben Lister to Shamim Hossain, Yorker, on off, Shamim Hossain rolls this in front of mid off and takes a run. SCORES ARE LEVEL!
Ben Lister to Shamim Hossain, Yorker, on middle and leg, Shamim Hossain flicks this to mid on.
Just 2 more needed for Bangladesh to win this game.
Ben Lister to Tawhid Hridoy, FIFTY FOR TAWHID! Full and on off, Tawhid Hridoy pushes this down to long on for a single. Brings up his half-century as well. Tawhid walked in when the home side was in deep trouble but he has played an excellent unbeaten knock to bring his side in touching distance to the finish line.
Ben Lister to Shamim Hossain, Back of a length, around middle and off, Shamim Hossain pulls this to wide long on for one.
Ben Lister to Tawhid Hridoy, Yorker, on off, Tawhid rolls this through mid off for one.
- Shamim Hossain 29 (10)
- Tawhid Hridoy 48 (24)
Matthew Fisher to Shamim Hossain, SIX! Pitched up, around middle and off, Shamim Hossain plants his front foot towards the off side and flicks this up and over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for a huge six. 25 runs have come off this Fisher over.
Matthew Fisher to Shamim Hossain, NO BALL AND FOUR! The wheels have come off for New Zealand here as Fisher bowls another No Ball. Beamer around off, Shamim Hossain slashes hard at it, gets it edged off the outside and the ball has raced to the left of the keeper for a boundary towards the third man region.
Matthew Fisher to Shamim Hossain, WIDE! Full and way too wide outside off. Shamim Hossain looks for a reverse ramp but misses. Wided.
Matthew Fisher to Shamim Hossain, NO BALL AND FOUR! Full and on the pads, Shamim Hossain plays the leg glance fine and wide to the right of the short third fielder for a boundary. The buzzer goes around the ground, gesturing that the bowler has overstepped. Free Hit up next ...
Matthew Fisher to Tawhid Hridoy, Short and on off, Tawhid pulls this flat towards deep mid-wicket and settles for a run.
Matthew Fisher to Shamim Hossain, Full and on the pads, Shamim Hossain tucks this to mid-wicket for a single.
Matthew Fisher to Tawhid Hridoy, Back of a length, around off, Tawhid Hridoy dabs this through cover-point for one more.
Matthew Fisher to Shamim Hossain, Good length on off, Shamim Hossain pats this in front of covers and takes a run.
Matthew Fisher to Shamim Hossain, FOUR! Pitched up, around the pads, Shamim Hossain leans over it and flicks this up and over the fielder at short fine leg and the ball goes on-bounce and over the fence for four more runs.
Another over that yields 18 runs for Bangladesh. The home side now needs just 30 more to win off the last 4 overs.
- Tawhid Hridoy 46 (22)
- Shamim Hossain 9 (4)
Nathan Smith to Tawhid Hridoy, SIX! Back of a length, around middle and leg, Tawhid Hridoy crouches a touch low and pulls this out of the park towards the deep square leg region for a biggie.
Nathan Smith to Shamim Hossain, Good length, on middle and leg, Shamim Hossain flicks this through mid-wicket for one.
Nathan Smith to Shamim Hossain, SIX! That is an extremely good stroke by Shamim Hossain. Bouncer, on middle and leg, Shamim Hossain doesn't bother looking at the ball as he almost laps this standing on his feet for a biggie towards the fine leg region.
Nathan Smith to Tawhid Hridoy, Back of a length, on middle and leg, Tawhid Hridoy jumps down the track and helps this to deep square leg for one.
Nathan Smith to Tawhid Hridoy, WIDE! Slower one, wide down the leg. Wided.
Nathan Smith to Tawhid Hridoy, On a length, around middle and off, Tawhid Hridoy flicks this towards long and the batters decide to take on the arm of Tim Robinson for the second. A direct hit from the fielder at the stumps to the non-striker's end but the batters has made his ground with a dive.
Nathan Smith to Shamim Hossain, Back of a length, wide of off, Shamim Hossain punches this to sweeper cover for a single.
- Shamim Hossain 1 (1)
- Tawhid Hridoy 37 (19)
Josh Clarkson to Shamim Hossain, On a length, outside off. Shamim Hossain cuts it to point for a single.
Shamim Hossain is the next batter in.
Josh Clarkson to Parvez Hossain Emon, OUT! Parvez Hossain Emon falls into the trap. Josh Clarkson bowls it full and near the tramline. Parvez Hossain Emon swings his blade but toe ends his shot to long off. He falls over while playing the shot too. Tim Robinson in the deep makes no mistake. A good hand by PHE.
Josh Clarkson to Tawhid Hridoy, A slower length delivery, around off. Hridoy guides it to short third for a single.
Josh Clarkson to Parvez Hossain Emon, A wide yorker from Josh. Parvez Hossain Emon carves it away to deep point for a single.
Josh Clarkson to Parvez Hossain Emon, SIX! Launched away! This is full and around off. Parvez Hossain Emon picks the length quickly, hangs back and smashes it over long on for a massive six.
Josh Clarkson to Tawhid Hridoy, Drops it short and around off. Hridoy pulls it to deep square leg for a single.
- Parvez Hossain Emon 21 (11)
- Tawhid Hridoy 35 (17)
Ish Sodhi to Parvez Hossain Emon, Tossed up, around off. Parvez Hossain Emon punches it down to long on and comes back for the second run easily.
Ish Sodhi to Tawhid Hridoy, Slightly full and turning away, outside off. Tawhid punches it to point for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Tawhid Hridoy, Slower through the air, length and outside off. TH cuts it to point.
Ish Sodhi to Parvez Hossain Emon, Drops it short and wide of off. Parvez Hossain Emon cuts it to deep point, wide of the man there for a brace.
Ish Sodhi to Tawhid Hridoy, Fuller ball, outside off. Tawhid Hridoy cuts it behind point for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Parvez Hossain Emon, Bowls a googly on the flatter side on middle. Parvez Hossain Emon gets cramped as he pushes it to long on for one.
- Tawhid Hridoy 33 (14)
- Parvez Hossain Emon 17 (8)
Matthew Fisher to Tawhid Hridoy, Darts it on the pads. Tawhid Hridoy clips it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.
Matthew Fisher to Tawhid Hridoy, FOUR! Poor delivery with third man up! Shorter and outside off, too wide. Tawhid Hridoy ramps it over short third man for a boundary.
Matthew Fisher to Parvez Hossain Emon, Back of a length and on middle and leg. Parvez Hossain Emon punches it in front of cover and runs across. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.
Parvez Hossain Emon gets hit on the back of the left boot and looks in serious pain. The physio is out with the magic spray.
Matthew Fisher to Parvez Hossain Emon, Beautifully bowled! A yorker, dipping right on Emon's toes. He fails to flick it away and wears it on the boots. Gets hit on the back of the left boot and looks in serious pain. The physio is out with the magic spray.
Matthew Fisher to Tawhid Hridoy, A slower length delivery, outside off. Hridoy slaps it to point for one.
The chase began cautiously, with Bangladesh managing a quiet powerplay and losing Saif Hassan early. Tanzid Hasan struggled to find rhythm, while Litton Das showed flashes of intent with a few boundaries but failed to convert his start. However, the game turned with the arrival of Towhid Hridoy and Emon, who stitched together a fluent partnership. Their aggressive strokeplay, marked by regular boundaries, shifted the pressure back on New Zealand. Emon’s quickfire cameo ended against the run of play, but he had already laid a solid platform.
Shamim Hossain then carried forward the momentum with an attacking approach, exposing the inexperience of the Kiwi seamers, who faltered under pressure. Hridoy remained composed throughout, anchoring the chase with a superb half-century and guiding Bangladesh home comfortably.
New Zealand captain Nick Kelly admitted that 180 felt competitive but conceded that his side lost control after the 10th over. Hridoy, named Player of the Match, credited his partners, while Litton highlighted the difficulty of batting on a two-paced wicket.
Match Statistics
Venue
Bir Shrestho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium, Chattogram
