Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh lost to New Zealand by 66 runs in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) match at the Seddon Park in Hamilton, New Zealand on Sunday.
Electing to bat first, New Zealand piled up a mammoth total of 210 for the loss of three wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then restricted Bangladesh to 144 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.
New Zealand had a shaky start as they lost opener Finn Allen for zero who was bowled out by debutante Nasum Ahmed when the hosts’ total was just one.
Then Martin Guptill and Devon Conway repaired the damage adding together 52 runs for the second wicket partnership before Guptill was caught at the long-off by Soumya Sarkar off Nasum Ahmed when the home side’s score was 53 for the loss of two wickets.
After Guptill’s dismissal, Conway and Will Young put on together 105 runs in the third wicket stand before Young was caught at the deep midwicket by Afif Hossain off Mahedi Hasan when the Black Caps total was 158 for the loss of three wickets.
After Young’s departure, Conway and Glenn Phillips added together 52 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket partnership.
Conway remained unbeaten with 92. His 52-ball windy innings was laced with 11 fours and three sixes. Conway was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Young hit 53. His 30-ball knock was studded with four fours and two sixes.
Guptill made 35 from 27 balls featuring three fours and two sixes.
Nasum Ahmed bagged two wickets at the cost of 30 runs, while Mahedi Hasan took one wicket for 37 runs.
Later, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mohammad Naim and Mahmudullah Riyad could reach the double digit figures.
Afif Hossain hit a fine 45. His 33-ball innings was laced with five fours and one sixer.
Saifuddin remained unbeaten with 34. He struck three fours and a sixer in his run-a-ball innings.
Naim made 27 from 18 balls including five fours.
Mahmudullah scored only 11 runs.
Ish Sodhi captured four wickets instead of 28 runs, while Lockie Ferguson bagged two wickets at the cost of 25 runs.
Hamish Bennett and Tim Southee took one wicket each for 20 and 34 runs respyecti
