Blair Tickner starred with the ball against Bangladesh, picking up four wickets in 12 deliveries to spark a dramatic collapse as New Zealand won the first ODI at Dhaka today (April 17).
Batting first, New Zealand posted 247 for 8, powered by half-centuries from Henry Nicholls (68) and Dean Foxcroft (59), who was playing just his second ODI and first since September 2023. Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Rishad Hossain picked up two wickets each, as Bangladesh looked for their first home win against the Black Caps in nearly 13 years.
The run chase began on a rocky note: Bangladesh lost Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto off consecutive balls in the fourth over, as they slipped to 21-2. Opener Saif Hassan (57) and wicketkeeper Litton Das (46), however, anchored the innings, taking the team to 114 when the former was dismissed. Das followed soon after, leaving Bangladesh at 132-4 in 27.2 overs.
Bangladesh, though, were well placed despite the twin dismissals, with Towhid Hridoy (55) and Afif Hossain (27) stitching together a 52-run stand. But Hossain’s dismissal in the 41st over was the turning point.
1st ODI, Bangladesh vs New Zealand
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Blair Tickner picks up rapid four-for as Bangladesh collapse
Bangladesh needed 56 runs in the last seven overs with five wickets in hand when Tickner came on to bowl his eighth over of the innings. He had conceded 32 runs in his first seven overs for no wicket, and got his first scalp when he sent back Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz for six. His ninth over turned around the game - he dismissed Rishad and Shoriful in successive deliveries to leave Bangladesh reeling at 203-8. He returned to dismiss Taskin, his fourth wicket in just 12 balls, to wreak even more havoc on the hosts.
Bangladesh were eventually dismissed for 221, with Nathan Smith picking up the last wicket to give New Zealand a 26-run win. The game marked a comeback for Tickner, who had to be stretchered off during the second West Indies Test in December after hurting his shoulder while fielding.
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