In the opening fixture of a three-match One Day International series hosted in Mirpur, Bangladesh, New Zealand’s fast bowling unit delivered a clinical, match-winning performance under oppressive high humidity on Friday to secure a 26-run victory over the home side.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first on a slow, challenging pitch, New Zealand compiled a competitive total of 247 runs for the loss of eight wickets. The innings was anchored by opener Henry Nicholls’ patient 68 runs, and boosted by a quick-fire 59 from all-rounder Dean Foxcroft, who would later claim player of the match honors for his contributions with both bat and ball. Nicholls shared a 73-run stand for the second wicket with Will Young, who scored 30, as the pair weathered a devastating opening spell from Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam. Shoriful, making his first ODI appearance since December 2024 after stepping in for injured star Mustafizur Rahman, turned in an impressive outing, finishing with 2 wickets for just 27 runs from his full 10 overs.
Foxcroft acknowledged after the match that his side viewed 247 as an attainable target for Bangladesh, meaning consistent pressure with the ball would be critical to securing a win. “It’s not an easy place to come here and win games. It was extremely hot and we’re not used to it. It’s winter in New Zealand now,” Foxcroft noted of the challenging conditions the visiting side overcame.
Bangladesh’s chase got off to a disastrous start, with New Zealand pacer Nathan Smith striking early to dismiss top-order batters Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto on consecutive deliveries, leaving the home side reeling at 21 runs for the loss of two wickets. A 93-run third-wicket partnership between Saif Hassan and Litton Das pulled Bangladesh back into the contest, putting their chase firmly on track. Will O’Rourke broke the stand by dismissing Saif, who top-scored for Bangladesh with 57 runs, before Foxcroft removed Litton for 46. Lower-order batters Towhid Hridoy and Afif Hossain built a new resistance partnership, which left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox interrupted by sending Afif back to the pavilion for 27, leaving Hridoy to hold the innings together at 194 for 5 in the 44th over, with Bangladesh still well on course to reach the target.
That was when seamer Blair Tickner produced a devastating match-winning collapse. In a legendary late spell, Tickner claimed four wickets for just five runs, starting with the key dismissal of Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who nicked a catch behind the stumps for six runs. Tickner, who had been relatively erratic in his earlier overs, found his rhythm to clean up Bangladesh’s tail, claiming all four of his wickets in his final four overs to finish with figures of 4 for 40. Smith closed out the innings by dismissing Hridoy for 55, finishing with 3 for 45 as Bangladesh was bowled all out for 221 in 48.3 overs.
Reflecting on the match, Saif Hassan noted that the pitch had unique challenges for batters. “The wicket was a bit challenging from the beginning but once a batter got set it became easier. It was tougher for new batters. If I could have stayed longer, things might have been easier for the team,” he said.
The two sides will return to the field for the second ODI of the series on Monday, with Bangladesh looking to level the fixture and New Zealand aiming to extend their early lead.