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New Zealand rode on Henry Nicholls and Dean Foxcroft's fifties coupled with Blair Tickner's four-fer to get the better of Bangladesh by 26 runs in their first ODI, played at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on April 17.
New Zealand down Bangladesh by 26 runs in 1st ODI
Despite determined fifties from Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy, Bangladesh fell 26 runs short while chasing a competitive target of 248. The hosts faced immediate trouble when Nathan Smith removed Tanzid Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto in the fourth over. Saif Hassan and Litton Das managed to stabilize the pursuit with a 93-run stand, though both eventually fell—Saif for a steady 57 and Litton for 46, leaving the innings precariously balanced at 132/4.
Towhid Hridoy attempted to steer the chase toward the finish line with a spirited 55 off 60 balls, finding some support in Afif Hossain. However, Afif’s labored 27 off 49 balls slowed the momentum, and the lower order failed to provide the necessary resistance. As pressure mounted and wickets tumbled around him, Hridoy was the final man dismissed, resulting in Bangladesh being bowled out for 221 in the final stages of the match.
Henry Nicholls, Dean Foxcroft's fifties in Kiwis' win
Earlier in the day, New Zealand’s total of 247/8 was built on the back of solid contributions from Henry Nicholls and Dean Foxcroft. Nicholls played the anchor role with a calculated 68, finding the boundary nine times, while Foxcroft provided the acceleration with a brisk 59. Foxcroft’s maiden ODI fifty was particularly vital, giving the visitors the late-innings boost required to post a competitive total on a demanding surface.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, New Zealand found stability through Henry Nicholls following a shaky start. Bangladesh’s bowling attack was led by Shoriful Islam, who delivered a standout performance with figures of 2-27 across his 10 overs. Shoriful had been drafted into the playing XI as a last-minute replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, who was sidelined just before the toss due to discomfort in his right knee. Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain also made impacts, claiming two wickets apiece to keep the visitors in check.
The home side secured an early breakthrough when Shoriful dismissed Nick Kelly for just seven runs in the seventh over. Despite this setback, the Black Caps fought back as Nicholls joined forces with Will Young. The pair effectively neutralized the initial pressure, stitching together a resilient 73-run partnership for the second wicket to rebuild the New Zealand innings. The stand was eventually broken by Rishad Hossain, who managed to remove Young for 30. Attempting a risky reverse sweep, Young was caught at slip, a disappointing end to an innings where he had already survived a scare, having been dropped on just one run by Saif Hassan.
The second ODI between New Zealand and Bangladesh on April 21.
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