Bangladesh make a 1-0 lead against New Zealand

A counter-attacking half-century from Tawhid Hridoy and a blistering late cameo from Shamim Hossain propelled Bangladesh to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first T20 International. 

The win gives Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. 

Chasing a formidable target of 183, Bangladesh found themselves under significant pressure before Hridoy and Shamim combined for an explosive finish to seal the victory with two overs to spare. 

The match appeared to be slipping away from the hosts when they required 48 runs from the final 30 balls. 

However, Shamim completely shifted the momentum in the 16th over. The turning point came when he launched a remarkable "no-look" six off Nathan Smith, helping Bangladesh plunder 18 runs from the over. 

Shamim then single-handedly dismantled the New Zealand bowling attack in the 17th over, hammering three fours and a six to concede 25 runs. 

He remained unbeaten on 31 off just 13 deliveries. Hridoy, meanwhile, anchored the chase flawlessly, scoring 51 runs off 27 balls, including two boundaries and three sixes, to guide the team past the finish line. 

The comprehensive finish came after a cautious start by the Bangladeshi top order. 

Openers Saif Hasan (17) and Tanjid Hasan Tamim (20) struggled to accelerate, and the pressure compounded when captain Liton Das departed for 21. The breakthrough came courtesy of Parvez Hossain Emon, who played a crucial 28-run innings off just 14 balls at a 200 strike rate. 

Emon's aggressive knock successfully shifted the momentum and laid the foundation for Hridoy and Shamim to attack freely in the death overs. 

Earlier, after being sent in to bat, New Zealand capitalised on a strong start to post 182 for 6. 

Cottone Clarke (51) and Dan Cleaver (51) both notched half-centuries, combining to build a foundation that briefly threatened a total exceeding 200. 

However, the visiting side lost momentum in the middle stages, largely due to the bowling of Bangladeshi leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who claimed two wickets for 32 runs. 

Captain Nick Kelly added a valuable 39 runs, supported by Josh Clarkson’s 27, to push New Zealand to its final total. 

For Bangladesh, debutant pacer Ripon Mondal delivered a controlled spell, though he remained wicketless.