Bangladesh Restricts New Zealand for 134-9 in 1st T20

Bangladesh bowlers bowled tremendously to raise a prospect of ending the losing streak in T20 format on New Zealand soil as they restricted the hosts to paltry 134-9 in three-match series opener at McLean Park in Napier today.

Pace bowler Shoriful Islam continued his rich vain form to lead the attack with 3-26 while medium pacer Mustafizur Rahman and offspinner Mahedi Hasan

complemented him with two wickets haul. Mahedi and Mustafizur gave away just 14 and 15 runs respectively in four

overs to stifle New Zealand in stunning fashion. Amid Bangladesh bowlers' carnage, James Neesham struck 29 ball-48 with four fours and three sixes to prove that the pitch had no demons. He was key in helping the side propel past 100 which looked unlikely when Bangladesh, which opted to bowl first, had New Zealand wobbling at one for just three wickets.

This was the worst start of New Zealand in T20 format of cricket. Mahedi rattled the stump of Tim Seifert for duck in the first over to give Bangladesh a breakthrough and then Shoriful dealt a double strike, dismissing Fin Allen and Glenn Phillips in his consecutive deliveries.

Daryl Mitchell denied him the hat-trick but couldn't give the side a much-needed stability after the horrible start. Mahedi Hasan got rid of Mitchell after he scored 14 and then leg-spinner Rishad Hossain compounded the Kiwis' woe, getting the better of Marck Chapman for 19.

Neesham and stand-in captain Mitchell Santner added 41-run for the sixth wicket stand, to ensure that New Zealand would go past 100 at least. As the pitch got easier, they looked threatening to post a competitive total but Shoriful in his second spell removed Santer for 23 to further trouble the hosts.

Mustafizur took out Neesham to dash New Zealand final hopes to go on berserk in the death overs. But Adam Milne hit two sixes, including the last ball-six to give New Zealand bowlers something to defend at least.

BSS