A dramatic late-order collapse saw Bangladesh squander a solid start losing to an under-strength New Zealand side by 26 runs in the first ODI at Shere Bangla National Stadium.
Chasing 248 for victory, the hosts were comfortably placed at 184 for 4 before a clinical spell from Blair Tickner dismantled the middle and lower order. Bangladesh lost their final six wickets for just 37 runs eventually folding for 221 with nine balls to spare.
The Chase: From Control to Chaos
Earlier Saif Hassan (57) and Towhid Hridoy (55) kept Bangladesh in the hunt with composed half-centuries. However the momentum shifted during a sluggish 15-over period where Afif Hossain (27 off 49) and Hridoy struggled to rotate the strike pushing the required run rate above seven per over.
Blair Tickner was the hero for the Kiwis claiming 4 for 40. He removed captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz before taking two wickets in two balls in the 46th over to kill off the chase. Nathan Smith supported well, striking twice in his opening over to remove Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto.
The First Innings
New Zealand posted 247 for 8, anchored by disciplined half-centuries from Henry Nicholls (68) and Dean Foxcroft (59). Despite the lack of a single six in their entire 50 overs, the tourists used their domestic experience to navigate the subcontinental conditions.
For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam was the standout bowler in his return to the ODI side, taking 2 for 27 in 10 overs. Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain also picked up two wickets each, but their efforts were ultimately let down by the batting department’s failure to finish the job.
Captain’s Corner
Before the match Mehidy Hasan Miraz warned against taking the "young" Kiwi side lightly a warning that proved prophetic. "We cannot see New Zealand as a weak side" he had noted. Meanwhile Tom Latham’s strategy for his debutants to "stick to their domestic blueprint" paid off handsomely.
New Zealand now leads the three-match series 1-0.
