Bangladesh vs New Zealand 1st ODI Live: Early Breakthrough for Hosts in Dhaka
The much-anticipated first One Day International between Bangladesh and New Zealand kicked off at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on April 17, 2026. In a crucial toss decision, New Zealand captain Tom Latham opted to bat first after winning the toss, setting the stage for an exciting day of cricket.
Toss and Team Strategies
New Zealand's decision to bat was influenced by the pitch conditions. Latham remarked, "It looks a reasonably good surface, slightly dry, and as a day game, it might slow down later." He expressed confidence in his team's bowling attack, which includes three seamers and a left-armer, emphasizing their readiness to embrace the challenges of playing in Bangladesh.
On the other hand, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz welcomed the opportunity to bowl first. "I love to bowl first because it's a new ground and wicket," he stated, highlighting the team's strong bowling performance in their recent series against Pakistan. Bangladesh fielded a balanced attack with two spinners and three fast bowlers.
Pitch Report and Conditions
HD Ackerman provided insights into the pitch, noting it appeared nicely paced with the ball coming onto the bat. The square boundaries measured 58m and 69m, with a 79m hit downtown. Ackerman suggested Bangladesh might not mind chasing, as the wicket looked good for batting.
Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (w), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Rishad Hossain, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam.
New Zealand: Will Young, Tom Latham (w/c), Henry Nicholls, Nick Kelly, Muhammad Abbas, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Jayden Lennox, William O'Rourke.
Early Match Action
New Zealand began their innings cautiously, with openers Henry Nicholls and Nick Kelly facing disciplined bowling from Bangladesh. The hosts made an early breakthrough when Shoriful Islam dismissed Nick Kelly in the 6.3rd over. Kelly, who had struggled to get off the mark, chopped a delivery onto his stumps after being tempted by a pull shot, leaving New Zealand at 21/1.
Prior to the wicket, Kelly had scored just 3 runs off 21 balls, including a boundary off Shoriful Islam. Henry Nicholls provided some stability, scoring 14 runs off 22 balls with a four off Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Will Young joined Nicholls at the crease but survived a dropped catch by Saif Hassan at first slip early in his innings.
Key Moments and Score Updates
- Powerplay Overs: New Zealand reached 29/1 after 9 overs, with Nicholls and Young at the crease.
- Bowling Highlights: Shoriful Islam impressed with figures of 4-1-8-1, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz maintained pressure.
- Fielding Lapse: Saif Hassan dropped Will Young on 1, a missed opportunity that could have further dented New Zealand's top order.
As the match progressed, Bangladesh's bowlers continued to apply pressure, with Nahid Rana introduced into the attack. The live score stood at 34/1 after 9.2 overs, with Nicholls and Young looking to rebuild the innings.
Conclusion
The first ODI in Dhaka promises an engaging contest between bat and ball. With New Zealand opting to bat and Bangladesh striking early, the match is finely poised. Fans can follow ball-by-ball commentary and detailed scorecards for ongoing updates as both teams vie for an early advantage in the series.
