New Zealand produced a strong batting display to post 182 for six against Bangladesh in the opening T20I of the three-match series in Chattogram today, riding on fluent half-centuries from Katene Clarke and Dane Cleaver.
The visitors built their innings around a solid 88-run partnership for the second wicket between Clarke and Cleaver. The duo looked well on course to power New Zealand beyond the 200-mark, dominating the Bangladesh bowlers with controlled aggression.
Cleaver led the charge with a brisk 51 off 28 deliveries, striking seven fours and a six, but his dismissal triggered a sudden slowdown. New Zealand lost four wickets for just 31 runs in the latter stages, allowing Bangladesh to claw their way back into the contest.
Clarke, meanwhile, anchored the innings with a composed 51 off 37 balls, laced with seven boundaries and a six. Stand-in captain Nick Kelly also made a valuable contribution, scoring 39 off 27 deliveries, including five fours and a six.
Just as the innings approached its final phase, a brief interruption occurred when several floodlight bulbs went out during the 17th over, forcing a temporary halt in play.
Despite the late stutter, Josh Clarkson provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 27 off 14 balls, hitting two fours and a six to push New Zealand to a competitive total.
Hridoy run-out lone bright spot as NZ dominate Powerplay
New Zealand made a brisk start to their innings, reaching 61 for one after six six overs in the first of three T20Is against Bangladesh today, in Chattogram, capitalising on the fielding restrictions after being put in to bat.
After an early setback, the visitors recovered quickly through an aggressive stand between Katene Clarke and Dane Cleaver. Clarke remained unbeaten on 25 off 18 balls, while Cleaver set the tone with a fluent 33 off just 17 deliveries, striking four fours and a six as the Black Caps maintained a run rate above 10.
The home side struck in the second over through a sharp piece of fielding rather than with the ball. Tim Robinson was run out for a duck after a moment of hesitation, with Tawhid Hridoy producing a direct hit from the in-field to leave the visitors at 11 for one.
From there, however, Clarke and Cleaver counterattacked effectively, adding a rapid 50-run partnership off just 28 balls to seize momentum in the Powerplay. New Zealand also brought up their 50 in just 5.1 overs.
Bangladesh captain Litton Das won the toss and elected to bowl first in the opening T20I against New Zealand at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram today, with the Tigers looking to ease back into the format after a five-month gap.
The hosts included rookie pacer Ripon Mondol, known for his death-over expertise, as Bangladesh look to test new combinations at the start of a crucial T20I phase.
While Ripon has featured in three T20 matches for Bangladesh at the Asian Games, this marks his first appearance with the full-strength national side.
New Zealand, meanwhile, were forced into a late change, with regular captain Tom Latham ruled out after suffering a laceration below his right big toenail during nets yesterday. In his absence, Nick Kelly leads the side, becoming the 13th cricketer to captain the Black Caps in T20Is.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (c and wk), Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain Patwary, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Ripon Mondol.
Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly (c), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Matthew Fisher, Ben Lister
