Bangladesh beats NZ by 6 wickets in 1st T20I

CHATTAGRAM, Bangladesh -- Tawhid Hridoy struck an unbeaten half-century to guide Bangladesh to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening match of their three-match T20I series on Monday at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.

Chasing 183, Bangladesh slumped to 77 for three in the 11th over as New Zealand's bowlers held sway. Hridoy, entering at number four, anchored the chase with 51 not out from 27 balls, featuring two fours and three sixes. He first forged a 57-run stand with Parvez Hossain Emon, who scored 28 off 14 deliveries, before adding an unbroken 49 for the fifth wicket with Shamim Hossain, whose unbeaten 31 off 13 balls sealed the win. Bangladesh reached the target in 18 overs, finishing at 183 for four with 12 balls to spare.

Earlier, Bangladesh captain Liton Das won the toss and elected to field. New Zealand posted 182 for six, powered by half-centuries from Dane Cleaver and Katene Clarke, who put on 88 for the second wicket after opener Tim Robinson was run out for a duck in the second over. Legspinner Rishad Hossain disrupted the momentum with two quick strikes, including the key set batsmen, finishing with figures of two for 32.