Clarkson cameo lifts NZ to 182 after strong top-order show

New
Zealand produced a strong batting display to post 182 for six against
Bangladesh in the opening T20I of the three-match series in Chattogram today,
riding on fluent half-centuries from Katene Clarke and Dane Cleaver.
The
visitors built their innings around a solid 88-run partnership for the second
wicket between Clarke and Cleaver. The duo looked well on course to power New
Zealand beyond the 200-mark, dominating the Bangladesh bowlers with controlled
aggression.
Cleaver
led the charge with a brisk 51 off 28 deliveries, striking seven fours and a
six, but his dismissal triggered a sudden slowdown. New Zealand lost four
wickets for just 31 runs in the latter stages, allowing Bangladesh to claw
their way back into the contest.
Clarke,
meanwhile, anchored the innings with a composed 51 off 37 balls, laced with
seven boundaries and a six. Stand-in captain Nick Kelly also made a valuable
contribution, scoring 39 off 27 deliveries, including five fours and a six.
Just as the
innings approached its final phase, a brief interruption occurred when several
floodlight bulbs went out during the 17th over, forcing a temporary halt in
play.
Despite
the late stutter, Josh Clarkson provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten
27 off 14 balls, hitting two fours and a six to push New Zealand to a
competitive total.
Hridoy
run-out lone bright spot as NZ dominate Powerplay
New
Zealand made a brisk start to their innings, reaching 61 for one after six six
overs in the first of three T20Is against Bangladesh today, in
Chattogram, capitalising on the fielding restrictions after being put in
to bat.
After an
early setback, the visitors recovered quickly through an aggressive stand
between Katene Clarke and Dane Cleaver. Clarke remained unbeaten on 25 off 18
balls, while Cleaver set the tone with a fluent 33 off just 17 deliveries,
striking four fours and a six as the Black Caps maintained a run rate above 10.
The home
side struck in the second over through a sharp piece of fielding rather than
with the ball. Tim Robinson was run out for a duck after a moment of
hesitation, with Tawhid Hridoy producing a direct hit from the in-field to
leave the visitors at 11 for one.
From
there, however, Clarke and Cleaver counterattacked effectively, adding a rapid
50-run partnership off just 28 balls to seize momentum in the Powerplay. New
Zealand also brought up their 50 in just 5.1 overs.
Ripon in
as Litton opts to bowl; Kelly leads NZ
Bangladesh
captain Litton Das won the toss and elected to bowl first in the opening T20I
against New Zealand at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium
in Chattogram today, with the Tigers looking to ease back into the format after
a five-month gap.
The hosts
included rookie pacer Ripon Mondol, known for his death-over expertise, as Bangladesh
look to test new combinations at the start of a crucial T20I phase.
While Ripon has featured in three T20 matches for Bangladesh at the Asian
Games, this marks his first appearance with the full-strength national side.
New
Zealand, meanwhile, were forced into a late change, with regular captain Tom
Latham ruled out after suffering a laceration below his right big toenail
during nets yesterday. In his absence, Nick Kelly leads the side, becoming the
13th cricketer to captain the Black Caps in T20Is.
Bangladesh
XI
Tanzid
Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (c and wk), Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid
Hridoy, Shamim Hossain Patwary, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan
Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Ripon Mondol.
New
Zealand XI
Tim
Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly (c), Bevon Jacobs,
Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Matthew Fisher, Ben
Lister
















