Tickner’s burst flips chase as New Zealand stun Bangladesh late
New Zealand seized a 1-0 lead after a dramatic late collapse from Bangladesh, with Blair Tickner’s decisive spell turning the match in the closing stages.
In a game that appeared firmly in Bangladesh’s control, Tickner’s 4 for 40 dismantled the chase as New Zealand defended 247, bowling the hosts out for 221 to secure a 26-run victory.
Tickner triggers collapse at the death
Bangladesh were well placed at 194 for 5 while chasing 248, but Tickner’s three-over burst changed everything. The visitors ripped through the lower order as Bangladesh lost six wickets for just 37 runs, slipping from 184 for 4 to 221 all out.
Tickner mixed his pace effectively, using cutters and slower balls to break through. He dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz attempting an inventive shot, then removed Rishad Hossain and Shoriful Islam in successive deliveries in the 46th over. He followed it up by forcing Taskin Ahmed to chop on before Nathan Smith completed the innings with nine balls remaining.
Bangladesh lose momentum after strong platform
Earlier, Bangladesh had built a solid foundation through a 93-run third-wicket partnership between Saif Hassan and Litton Das. Saif top-scored with 57 off 76 balls, hitting eight fours and a six, before falling to a mistimed stroke.
Litton contributed 46 but once he was dismissed by Dean Foxcroft, the innings began to stall. The middle overs saw a significant slowdown, with Towhid Hridoy and Afif Hossain struggling to maintain momentum.
Afif scored 27 off 49 balls, and although Hridoy managed 55, the pair’s cautious approach pushed the required rate from 4.88 to 7.11. Once Afif fell in the 41st over, the collapse followed quickly.
Smith strikes early to dent Bangladesh
Nathan Smith had already made an early impact, removing Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto in successive balls in the fourth over.
Bangladesh also had moments of fortune early in the chase, with Saif dropped on 1 by Henry Nicholls, shortly after Saif himself had dropped Will Young on 1 in the New Zealand innings.
Nicholls and Foxcroft set up New Zealand total
New Zealand’s innings was built around half-centuries from Henry Nicholls and Dean Foxcroft, who guided the visitors to 247 for 8 in 50 overs.
Nicholls scored a composed 68 off 83 balls, striking nine boundaries and anchoring the innings after a steady start. His experience in Bangladesh conditions was evident as he handled both spin and pace with control.
He shared a 73-run stand for the second wicket with Will Young, who made 30, before New Zealand lost a cluster of wickets including Tom Latham and Muhammad Abbas, both scoring 14.
Foxcroft then stepped up to push the total past 200, playing an aggressive innings of 59. He struck eight boundaries, showing fluency particularly through the leg side, before falling in the 47th over.
Despite a strong platform, New Zealand were unable to accelerate significantly at the death and finished without hitting a single six in their innings.
What this means
New Zealand’s win gives them a 1-0 lead in the series, driven by a disciplined bowling effort and a decisive late surge. Bangladesh, after controlling large parts of the chase, will need to address their middle-overs slowdown and finishing if they are to level the series.
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