Hridoy’s 51 fires Bangladesh to six-wicket win over New Zealand in first T20I

Bangladesh chase down 183 with 12 balls to spare following a 25-run explosion in the 17th over

Tawhid Hridoy has struck a brilliant unbeaten fifty as Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by six wickets in a high-scoring first T20 International.

Set a target of 183, Bangladesh chased it down in 18 overs, reaching 183 for 4, thanks to a match-winning partnership between Hridoy and Shamim Hossain.

The game turned in Bangladesh’s favour in the 17th over when Shamim hammered 25 runs off Matthew Fisher, easing the equation significantly.

Earlier, both Shamim and Hridoy had taken Nathan Smith apart with two sixes in an over, including a rare “no-look” six over the wicketkeeper by Shamim.

The Fisher over turned costly for New Zealand after multiple extras, including no-balls and a wide, as Bangladesh collected boundaries freely to stay ahead in the chase.

With just five runs needed from the last three overs, Bangladesh finished the job comfortably with 12 balls to spare.

Hridoy remained unbeaten on 51 off 27 balls, hitting three sixes and two fours. Shamim played a crucial supporting role with a quickfire 31 off 13 balls, including two sixes and three fours, sharing a 49-run stand off 21 balls.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 182 for 6 in 20 overs, with key contributions from Clark, Cleaver and Kelly. Bangladesh’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Rishad taking two.