Under the leadership of
Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Tigers, who previously clinched their maiden ODI win during this tour, now celebrated their first win in the shortest format of the game in New Zealand.
During the chase of the 134-run target set by the Kiwis, opener Rony Talukdar and captain Shanto fell in their pursuit for quick runs. Talukdar’s brief innings ended with a 7-ball 10, while Shanto contributed 19 runs from 14 balls before being dismissed.
Both batters fell victim to their ambitious shots, with Rony being caught off Adam Milne’s delivery and Shanto caught out by James Neesham.
At the outset, Bangladesh swiftly secured three wickets within the initial nine deliveries. Mahedi Hasan and Shoriful Islam made immediate impacts, reducing New Zealand to a precarious three for one.
Mahedi dismantled Tim Seifert’s stumps with a delivery that showcased some turn, marking a quick breakthrough in the very first over.
Following this, Shoriful struck twice in a defining moment. He induced an edge from Fin Allen, claimed by Soumya Sarkar at first slip, and dismissed Glenn Phillips, trapped in front while opting to leave the ball on the subsequent delivery.
Mahedi returned to dismiss the dangerous Daryll Mitchell, who managed a brisk 14 runs, bowled in a similar fashion to Seifert. This left the Kiwis struggling at 36 for four after six overs.
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain broke the 30-run partnership between Mark Chapman and James Neesham by removing Chapman for 19, caught by Tanjim Hasan Sakib in deep cover point.
Neesham and skipper Mitchell Santner then forged a crucial 41-run partnership to stabilize the collapse. Shoriful secured his third wicket by dismissing Santner (23), taken by Soumya for his second catch of the match.
Neesham persevered, but his 48-run innings concluded with a mistimed wide yorker from Mustafizur Rahman, turning into a full toss outside off and caught at deep cover point.
Shoriful concluded with figures of 3-26, while Mustafizur contributed with 2-15. Mahedi claimed two for 14 before finishing his spell early, and Rishad Hossain secured a solitary wicket.
Debutant pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib was slightly expensive, conceding 45 runs in his four overs but managed to secure a wicket.
