NZ vs BAN 1st T20I: Mahedi Hasan’s All-Round Display Help Bangladesh Clinch Historic First-Ever T20I Win In New Zealand

NZ vs BAN 1st T20I: Bangladesh continued to amaze on their tour of New Zealand after a good outing in the ODI series. The Asian tigers witnessed another historic moment as they clinched their first-ever T20I victory on Kiwi soil, adding to their maiden ODI win just three days earlier in Napier. The hosts faced their third defeat in six games at McLean Park.

In the first T20I game of the 3-match series, Bangladesh's decision to bowl first proved fruitful as their bowlers led by the impressive duo of Shoriful Islam and Mahedi Hasan, limited New Zealand to a modest 134/9. Shoriful's explosive start, claiming two wickets in the initial over laid the foundation for what was to come in the rest of the match.

Early in the New Zealand innings, Tim Seifert fell victim to Hasan's skillful bowling. Just when New Zealand were trying to recover from early blows, left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam joined the party taking two crucial wickets in the second over by dismissing Finn Allen and trapping Glenn Phillips lbw. Hasan returned to the attack to dismiss Daryl Mitchell, breaching his defences and leaving New Zealand struggling at 20/4.

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Apart from the sixth-wicket 41-run partnership between James Neesham and Mitchell Santner, Bangladesh kept taking wickets at the regular intervals. Shoriful returned to the attack, breaking the partnership as Santner mistimed a pull, caught by Soumya Sarkar at mid-wicket. Mustafizur Rahman's contribution disrupted Neesham's threatening innings, ending with a catch in the deep.

Mustafizur continued to impress, conceding only 1 run in the 19th over and helped sealing New Zealand's total below the par mark. With Neesham as the top-scorer with 48 off 29, New Zealand finished at 134/9.

In response, Bangladesh faced early setbacks with the losses of Rony Talukdar and Nazmul Hossain Shanto within the PowerPlay. However, the meek target allowed Litton Das to play with patience and anchor the innings, scoring 36 balls 42.

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Soumya Sarkar's attacking intent provided crucial runs. Before falling to Ben Sears, he scored 22 in 15 balls. Towhid Hridoy and Hasan played their part in the chase, ensuring Bangladesh's ease in achieving the target with eight balls to spare.

Hasan received the Player of the Match accolade for his all-round effort. The 2nd T20I of the series will be played at Mount Maunganui on December 29.