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Published : 17 Apr 2026, 08:28 PM
Bangladesh suffered a chastening defeat in the opening one-day international against New Zealand, squandering what had appeared a manageable chase to lose by 26 runs.
Having won the toss at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Friday, New Zealand chose to bat first. The visitors compiled a competitive 247 for eight on a sluggish pitch, but the total looked within Bangladesh’s reach on the familiar surface.
Yet the hosts’ pursuit never gathered lasting momentum, as the batting line-up once again betrayed a lack of composure and conviction under pressure.
The Black Caps remained disciplined with the ball, steadily tightening their grip on the contest as Bangladesh’s innings unravelled.
The result hands New Zealand an early advantage in the series.
Total Defensible, but Not Out of Reach
Opting to bat first, the visitors began cautiously, with Shoriful Islam providing the initial breakthrough by dismissing Nick Kelly for 7.
However, Henry Nicholls and Will Young settled into a restrained rhythm, capitalising on a lack of penetration from Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana during the opening powerplay.
Bangladesh only found sustained control after introducing spin.
Rishad Hossain proved decisive, breaking a stubborn stand when Will Young’s attempted reverse sweep resulted in a simple catch after a steady 40.
Nicholls, who anchored the innings with a patient 68, was later dismissed sweeping Rishad, halting New Zealand’s momentum.
The middle overs remained attritional, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz tightening the screws and boundary options becoming increasingly scarce.
Tom Latham’s brief stay ended cheaply as a skidding delivery beat him, leaving New Zealand reeling at 171 for 5 and under pressure.
A late counterattack from Dean Foxcroft, who struck a valuable 51, ensured the tourists pushed beyond 240.
His fighting knock targeted the seamers in the final overs, exposing Bangladesh’s inconsistency at the death.
Batting Struggles Cost Tigers
The chase looked “easy” until 40.3 overs when Afif Hossain returned as the fifth batter with the team total at 184, needing 64 more runs from 57 balls.
Despite this, the Tigers' lineup struggled to the end, with seven batters failing to even reach a single-digit score. Three of them were dismissed even before opening their account.
The start of the innings did not go to plan, with both opener Tanzid Hasan and top-order batter Najmul Hossain Shanto departing for just 21. Shanto was bowled for a golden duck.
However, the remaining opening batter Saif Hassan and former skipper Litton Das resisted the bowling onslaught, adding 93 runs in their third-wicket stand.
Bangladesh scored 100 runs in 18.4 overs, thanks to the partnership.
Saif was removed soon after his fifty, followed by Litton, who scored 46 runs.
Afif played a slow 27 with a 55 percent strike rate as the asking rate continued to tick up.
Following his wicket in the 41st over, the rest half of the batting order collapsed in exactly eight overs.
Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored just six – the highest among the lower-order batters and tailenders.
Spin-bowling hard-hitter Rishad Hossain added four runs, followed by a second golden duck by Shoriful Islam.
Paceman Taskin Ahmed managed to score two runs, before the final wicket of Towhid Hridoy, whose innings ended at 55 with nine balls in hand.
Bowling sensation Nahid Rana remained unbeaten for zero.
Defending their total, Blair Tickner and Nathan Smith led the Kiwis’ bowling attack. Tickner bagged four wickets, followed by Smith with three.
Will O’Rourke, Jayden Lennox and Dean Foxcroft shared the remaining three wickets. Of them, Lennox was the most economical, conceding just 3.2 runs an over in his 10-over quota.
