Kane Williamson scored an impressive, unbeaten knock of 73 from just 55 balls to anchor New Zealand in a successful chase of a sub-par but tricky target against Bangladesh in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) at the McLean Park in Napier on Wednesday (January 3).
In a game where bowlers from either side dominated most parts, Williamson nullified Mahmudullah’s efforts to ensure the hosts kick-started 2017 on a bright note with a six-wicket victory.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh were rocked early as Imrul Kayes couldn’t keep his bat away from a Matt Henry delivery that was angled across the left-hander. Luke Ronchi completed the catch behind the stumps to give Henry a successful return to the side, since his last T20I appearance way back in January 2016.
Debutants Ben Wheeler and Lockie Ferguson soon dug their teeth into the Bangladesh top-order, as Tamim Iqbal, Sabbir Rahman and Soumya Sarkar had all been sent packing inside the powerplay overs. Ferguson redeemed himself after a forgettable One-Day International debut, and became just the second player after Michael Kasprowicz to pick up two wickets off the first two balls of his T20I career. Shakib Al Hasan, the senior-most player of the current Bangladesh T20I line-up, joined forces with Mahmudullah to arrest the slide.
The pair put on 37 runs before Colin de Grandhomme dismissed Shakib for 14. At this stage, on 67 for 5 in the 11th over, Bangladesh were in desperate need of a partnership. Mossadek Hossain put his hand up as he and Mahmudullah added 30 more runs, to drag Bangladesh’s total close to 100. Wickets continued to fall but Mahmudullah’s 47-ball 52 gave the visiting bowlers a sub-par total (141/8) to defend.
New Zealand didn’t enjoy the best of starts either. Neil Broom, who enjoyed a successful ODI comeback, was dismissed in the second over by Rubel Hossain. Mustafizur Rahman too struck in his very first over to remove Colin Munro for a second-ball duck. Kane Williamson fought on, even as two more wickets fell, giving Bangladesh some hope to pull off an upset.
When Colin de Grandhomme arrived to bat, the hosts were on 62 for 4 in 10.1 overs, still needing 80 off the last 59 deliveries. Grandhomme decided to swing his bat around, and found success in doing so, as his 22-ball 41 – an innings laced with three fours and three sixes – made New Zealand’s chase easier. Williamson too played his shots in his 55-ball 73, collecting five fours and two sixes, as New Zealand completed their win with two overs to spare.
Brief Scores:
Bangladesh 141/8 in 20 overs (Mahmudullah 52; Lockie Ferguson 3-32)
New Zealand 143/4 in 18 overs (Kane Williamson 73*, Colin de Grandhomme 41*; Mustafizur Rahman 1-21) by 6 wickets.
 at the McLean Park in Napier on Wednesday (January 3).){kind=link}