Bangladesh’s opening batsmen Saif Hassan and Litton Das are currently at the crease, steadying the innings after the team lost two quick wickets while chasing a target of 248 runs set by New Zealand in the first match of the three-game ODI series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
New Zealand posted a total of 247 for eight, and Bangladesh faced early setbacks when opener Tanzid Tamim (2 off 6) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (0 off 1) were both dismissed in consecutive deliveries by New Zealand pacer Nathan Smith in the fourth over, leaving Bangladesh at 21 for two.
Saif and Litton have since managed to stabilize the innings, with Bangladesh reaching 51 for two after 10 overs. Saif is currently unbeaten on 18 from 28 deliveries, while Litton remains unbeaten on 15 from 26 balls.
In New Zealand’s innings, half-centuries from Henry Nicholls and Dean Foxcroft helped the visitors reach a competitive total of 247 for eight in their allotted 50 overs at the same venue. Nicholls scored 68 off 83 balls, including nine boundaries, while Foxcroft contributed 59 off 58 deliveries with eight fours, marking his first ODI fifty.
New Zealand opted to bat first, and Shoriful Islam impressed for Bangladesh with figures of 2-27 from his 10 overs, filling in for Mustafizur Rahman, who was sidelined due to discomfort in his right knee just before the match. Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain also claimed two wickets each.
Despite a strong start by New Zealand, Bangladesh’s bowlers tightened their grip during the middle overs, limiting the visitors to 165 for five in 36 overs. The hosts managed to break key partnerships and maintain control over the run rate, setting up an intriguing contest in the series opener.