Saif, Hridoy fifties in vain as Bangladesh lose ODI opener against New Zealand

Half-centuries from Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy went in vain as Bangladesh fell 26 runs short against New Zealand in the opening ODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday.

Chasing a modest target of 247, Bangladesh suffered an early setback, losing Tanzid Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto in the fourth over to seamer Nathan Smith. Saif Hassan and Litton Das then steadied the innings with a 93-run partnership.

Saif struck a composed 57 off 76 balls before being dismissed by Will O’Rourke in the 23rd over. Litton looked fluent for his 68-ball 46, but Dean Foxcroft removed him, leaving Bangladesh at 132 for four in 27.2 overs.

Towhid Hridoy kept the chase alive with a determined 55 off 60 balls, adding 52 runs with Afif Hossain. However, Afif struggled for fluency, scoring 27 off 49 deliveries before being caught at long-on -- giving left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox his only scalp. With wickets falling at the other end, Hridoy was eventually the last batter dismissed as Bangladesh were bowled out for 221.

Blair Tickner was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-40, while fellow seamer Smith scalped three wickets. Lennox kept things tight in the middle and finished with figures of 1-32.

Earlier, half-centuries from Henry Nicholls and Dean Foxcroft guided New Zealand to a competitive 247 for eight in their 50 overs.

Nicholls anchored the innings with a measured 68 off 83 balls, hitting nine boundaries, while Foxcroft added a brisk 59 off 58 deliveries, including eight fours. The latter’s knock marked his maiden ODI fifty and provided crucial late momentum on a challenging Mirpur surface.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand were steadied by Nicholls after an early setback. Shoriful Islam impressed for Bangladesh with figures of 2-27 from 10 overs, stepping in for Mustafizur Rahman, who was ruled out just before the match due to discomfort in his right knee. Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain claimed two wickets each.

Bangladesh struck early when Shoriful dismissed Nick Kelly for seven in the seventh over. However, Nicholls and Will Young rebuilt the innings with a 73-run stand for the second wicket.

Rishad broke the partnership by removing Young (30), who attempted a reverse sweep and was caught at slip after earlier being dropped on one by Saif Hassan off Shoriful.

New Zealand then lost momentum in the middle overs, with Tom Latham (14), Nicholls and Muhammad Abbas (14) falling in quick succession. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad shared a wicket apiece, while Shoriful returned to dismiss Abbas, leaving the visitors at 165 for five in the 36th over.

Foxcroft then anchored the late surge, while Nathan Smith’s unbeaten 21 off 22 balls provided a valuable boost, helping New Zealand post a competitive total.