DHAKA: Bangladesh ear­ned their maiden Twenty20 International victory against a depleted New Zealand side with a seven-wicket win in what was their 11th attempt — on Wednesday to open the five-match series in Dhaka.

Shakib Al Hasan starred for the hosts as the all-rounder grabbed figures of 2-10 and then made 25 as Bangladesh chased down their target in 15 overs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

But it was the bowlers who set up victory with pacer Mustafizur Rahman taking three to dismiss New Zealand for their joint-lowest T20 total — the same score against Sri Lanka in 2014 at Chittagong — in 16.5 overs.

Skipper Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls scored 18 each while the rest of the batters failed to get into double digits in the changed line-up.

Spinners Nasum Ahmed, Shakib and pace bowler Mohammad Saifuddin took two wickets each.

“Very good feeling to win the first match of the series, given the fact we’ve never won against New Zealand,” said player-of-the-match Shakib. “This win will boost our confidence. We’ve been bowling really well through the Australia series and against New Zealand. Our batting is not up to the mark yet, but, having said that, the conditions are not easy for batting.”

Bangladesh, who bowled out Australia for 62 last month to seal the T20 series 4-1 in Dhaka, took down New Zealand for the lowest-ever total against them.

Mahedi Hasan struck in the first over with debutant Rachin Ravindra out for a golden duck after being caught and bowled by the off-spinner.

Shakib bowled Will Young for five and left-arm spinner Nasum then got two wickets in one over including Colin de Grandhomme, for one, to reduce New Zealand to 9-4.

Latham, who is leading a second-string side without regular stars including Kane Williamson, and Nicholls put on 34 runs for the fifth wicket but Saifuddin broke the stand with the captain’s wicket to rattle New Zealand further.

Debutant Cole McConchie was out for a duck and Saifuddin sent back Nicholls as the New Zealand batting fell like a pack of cards.

“We knew it was going to be tough but we kept losing wickets at crucial times,” said Latham. “For us, it’s about finding a way in these conditions and try to assess what a good score is.”

In reply, Bangladesh lost their openers for just seven with Moh­a­mmad Naim falling to McC­o­nchie and Liton Das stum­ped out to Ajaz Patel’s left-arm spin.

Ravindra cut short Shakib’s stay at the wicket before Mush­fiqur Rahim, who made 16, and skipper Mahmudullah, who scored 14, took the team home.

The second T20 is on Friday with all the matches to be pla­yed at the same venue.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2021