Tigers seal first ever T20I win over Kiwis

Bangladesh registered a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over New Zealand, the first-ever T20I win, in the five-match Twenty20 series opening at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

The Tigers bowled out Kiwis for their joint-lowest T20I score 60 in 16.5 overs. The hosts though then faced a hiccup but eventually cruised to victory with ease, making 62-3 in just 15 overs.

New Zealand were also bowled out for 60 against Sri Lanka in Chattogram during the 2014 T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh now have the pleasure of bowling out two teams New Zealand and their neighboring country Australia to their lowest T20 total within one month. Last month Australia were bowled out for 62 in the fifth and final match to concede the series by 4-1.

Once again Bangladesh spinners and fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman played a key role in slow and low surfaces with the latter finishing on 3-13.

Left-arm spinners Shakib Al Hasan, Nasum Ahmed and pacer Saifuddin claimed two wickets apiece while off-spinner Mahedi Hasan took one.

New Zealand’s batsmen’s strategy was questionable on a surface where balls were not coming to bat easily.

At one stage, the Kiwis were 9 for 4 in just the fourth over. Latham and Henry Nicholls shared 34-run for the fifth wicket and appeared set to stabilize the innings.

But both of them perished to a big shot against pacer Saifuddin after scoring identical 18 runs.

However, they were the only two batsmen to reach the double-digit figure.

Offspinner Cole McConchie, one of the two debutants of the New Zealand team and left-arm spinner Azaz Patel gave the side a glimmer of hope with a small total, removing the openers Mohammad Naim and Liton Das in quick succession as Bangladesh were reduced to 7-2.

But experienced Shakib Al Hasan kept the side’s nose ahead with a small but valuable 25 off 33 before Rachin Ravidra accounted him for his debut wicket. Mushfiqur was on 16 with Mahmudullah on 14 at the time when Bangladesh completed the inevitable.

The second match of the series is on Friday.

ARR