Bangladesh vs New Zealand – T20 Internationals 2026 Match Report | Statz
Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 6 wickets (with 12 balls remaining) in the 48th match of 60 in the T20 Internationals series, played at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chittagong. Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl, and their decision paid off in style. Ranked 9th in the ICC T20I rankings against a 4th-placed New Zealand side, this was a statement win for the Tigers on home soil.
New Zealand First Innings: 182/6 (20 overs)
New Zealand got off to a shaky start when opener Tim Robinson was run out for a duck in the 2nd over, leaving the score at 11/1 after 1.2 overs.
Dane Cleaver and Katene Clarke then constructed the innings with a high-quality partnership. Cleaver brought aggression from ball one, and Clarke provided the stability. Cleaver was the first to fall – trapped LBW at 99/2 in the 9.4th over for 51 off 28 balls (SR 182, 7 fours, 1 six). Clarke followed shortly after, caught out at 110/3 in the 11.4th over for 51 off 37 (SR 138, 7 fours, 1 six).
Nick Kelly came in and maintained the momentum, reaching 39 off 27 before being caught at 162/4 in the 17.5th over. The lower order then rallied – Josh Clarkson smashed 27 off 14 (SR 193, 2 fours, 1 six) not out, and Nathan Smith chipped in with 2 not out to push New Zealand to 182/6.
For Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain was the pick of the bowlers with 2/32 from 4 overs (Econ 8.0). Mahedi Hasan (1/31, Econ 7.75) and Shoriful Islam (1/36, Econ 9.0) also picked up wickets. Tanzim Hasan Sakib (1/40, Econ 10.0) and Ripon Mondol (0/39, Econ 9.75) went for runs.
Bangladesh Second Innings: 183/4 (18 overs)
Chasing 183, Bangladesh lost early wickets. Saif Hassan fell for 17 off 16 at 41/1 in the 5.3rd over. Litton Das followed at 66/2 in the 8.5th over, bowled for 21 off 15. Then Tanzid Hasan departed at 77/3 in the 10.1st over for 20 off 25 – three down, still needing 106 from 59 balls.
Towhid Hridoy changed everything. Coming in at a critical juncture, he launched a ferocious assault – 51 off 27 balls (SR 189, 2 fours, 3 sixes) – and remained not out. Parvez Hossain Emon provided the explosive acceleration alongside him, striking 28 off 14 (SR 200, 1 four, 2 sixes) before being caught at 134/4 in the 14.5th over. By then the game was in Bangladesh’s hands.
Shamim Hossain finished it off with a blistering 31 off 13 (SR 238, 3 fours, 2 sixes) not out, closing out a 6-wicket win with 12 balls to spare.
For New Zealand, Ish Sodhi was the standout with 2/40 from 4 overs (Econ 10.0). Nathan Smith took 1/33 and Josh Clarkson chipped in with 1/28 from 3 overs.
Statz MVP: Josh Clarkson (82.3/100)
Josh Clarkson is the Statz MVP with a rating of 82.3 out of 100. The New Zealand all-rounder contributed 27 off 14 with the bat (SR 193) and took 1/28 from 3 overs with the ball – a genuine two-way performance on a losing side. Statz calculates impact based on match context, and Clarkson’s contributions in both innings lifted his rating above the more eye-catching individual batting scores. There is no official Man of the Match award to compare against.
Top 5 Statz Ratings
- Towhid Hridoy (Bangladesh) – 115 Dream11 points | 51 off 27, SR 189, 3 sixes. The chase-winner. Took Bangladesh from crisis to cruise control.
- Dane Cleaver (New Zealand) – 103 Dream11 points | 51 off 28, SR 182. The most destructive NZ batter – fell just as the partnership was building.
- Katene Clarke (New Zealand) – 99 Dream11 points | 51 off 37, SR 138. Anchored the middle overs as NZ built towards 182.
- Josh Clarkson (New Zealand) – 82 Dream11 points | mi_rating 82.3/100. The Statz MVP – 27 off 14 and 1/28, all-round impact on both sides of the game.
- Ish Sodhi (New Zealand) – 70 Dream11 points | 2/40 from 4 overs. New Zealand’s best bowler in a losing cause.
Turning Point
The match turned when Tanzid Hasan was dismissed for 20 in the 10.1st over, leaving Bangladesh at 77/3 still chasing 183. Three wickets down, run rate climbing – New Zealand had their chance. Instead, Towhid Hridoy and Parvez Hossain Emon produced a 57-run partnership off just 27 balls that effectively ended the contest. The moment Bangladesh lost their third wicket was the moment that forced the game’s defining response.
Match Context
This was the 48th match of 60 in the T20 Internationals season. Bangladesh sit 9th in the ICC T20I rankings (rating 223, 14925 pts from 67 matches). New Zealand are 4th (rating 249, 17692 pts from 71 matches). The win is a solid confidence boost for Bangladesh on home turf against a significantly higher-ranked opponent. For New Zealand, who came in ranked in the top 5, it is a rare reversal and will add motivation heading into the remaining fixtures.
Head-to-head now stands at Bangladesh 5 – New Zealand 6 in T20Is (from 12 matches with 1 no result).
Full scorecard: statz.ai/cricket/fixtures/69605/bangladesh-vs-new-zealand/scorecard
