NZ VS BAN 1ST T20I

Right then, that's all from this game. Bangladesh have etched a famous win in their T20I history to take the lead in this three-match series. Mitchell Santer and New Zealand will have to go back to the drawing board and come up with answers if they are to keep the series alive. The second T20I will take place on Friday, December 29 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The game will begin at 11.40 am IST (6.10 am GMT) but our build-up will begin much sooner. Until then, take care and goodye!

Mahedi Hasan is the Player of the Match for his all-round brilliance where he took 2 for 14 from his four overs and played a unbeaten cameo of 19 runs from 16 balls.

Time for the presentation ceremony....

Earlier in the game, after being inserted into bat, New Zealand were off to a rocky start, losing their first three wickets in the first 9 balls. Daryl Mitchell began to rebuild the innings along with Mark Chapman but neither of them was able to carry on. James Neesham then led the fightback and took calculated risks to keep the scoreboard ticking. He found an able alley in Mitchell Santner but the latter failed to kick on. Neesham followed suit and his departure came at the most inopportune time for New Zealand. Thanks to contributions from the lower order, the Kiwis limped their way to 134. Shoriful Islam was the star of Bangladesh's show with figures of 3 for 26 from his four overs. Mahedi Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman accounted for two wickets each while Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Rishad Hossain took one wicket apiece.

With not a big total to defend, New Zealand needed early breakthroughs to put Bangladesh under pressure. Rony Talukdar came out all guns blazing but Adam Milne was able to nip him in the bud before he could do any more damage. However, the Kiwi pacers were unable to capitalise on that early scalp and allowed the Tigers to build partnerships during the middle phase. James Neesham struck gold for New Zealand with the wicket of Najmul Hossain Shanto before Ben Sears got himself into the wicket-taking act. They were then stalled by the gritty stand between Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy and defensive fields meant that the pair were able to bat freely without any pressure of dots. Mitchell Santner broke that stand and Tim Southee backed it up with a wicket to give New Zealand a glimmer of hope. However, the Kiwis were not able to mount the pressure as they would have liked and the low total meant they ended up on the losing side.

In pursuit of 135, Rony Talukdar made his intentions clear right away for Bangladesh as he looked to smack just about every ball. However, the same approach soon led to his downfall. Najmul Hossain Shanto continued where he left off in the third ODI and put the pressure back on New Zealand. Shanto was dismissed while looking good as did Soumya Sarkar before he got out on 22. Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy then got together and used their smarts to bat sensibly in the middle phase by taking the ones and twos. Hridoy ran out of patience and Afif Hossain could not do much either which gave New Zealand a sniff. However, Litton Das held the innings together and brought his years of experience into play to bat though and take his side over the line. He remained unbeaten on 42 while Mahedi Hasan provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 19-run knock.

Bangladesh are on a history-creating spree in New Zealand, aren't they? First, the historic win in the third ODI, and they have now backed up that performance with their first-ever T20 win against New Zealand in New Zealand. There were a few nervy moments in the chase for the Tigers but they got over the line comfortably in the end to go 1-0 up in the series. On the other hand, New Zealand have been outbowled by Bangladesh in two consecutive games across formats and the Kiwis have lots to ponder on.

FOUR! Mahedi Hasan finishes off in style and Bangladesh have won the game. Pitched up on the stumps and Mahedi Hasan lofts the ball over mid off that takes the ball through to the long off boundary for four runs. Bangladesh lead the series 1-0.

Short ball at the batter. Mahedi Hasan pulls the ball well to the left of the deep square leg for another couple to add on the total. 2 more runs are required for the win now.

SIX! That is going to make things better for Bangladesh. What a shot, over covers for a massive six. Pitches the ball up on the off stump line and Mahedi Hasan moves around to give himself room and lofts the ball over the sweepers fielder for a massive six.

Short and wide, Mahedi Hasan cuts it hard but straight to point.

Pitched up on the stumps. Litton Das plays another paddle scoop towards the right of fine leg and runs a couple to end the over.

Short ball at the batter and Mahedi Hasan pulls it away to the right of deep square leg and there is an exceptional fielding to keep the ball down to a single.

Pitched up on the off stump. Mahedi Hasan strokes the ball down to mid off, no run.

Pitched up on the stumps. Litton Das flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! That is drama at its level best. Ish Sodhi might just have dropped the match and the ball is confirmed as SIX. Pitched up on the stumps and Litton Das plays a paddle scoop taking the ball straight down Ish Sodhi's throat at fine leg who is not aware where the rope is. He catches it when his back foot touches the boundary line and concedes a six. What a miss for New Zealand.

FOUR! What a start to the over for Bangladesh. Litton Das has taken it upon himself to get his side home. Slower ball pitched up on the stumps with mid off inside the circle and Litton Das smacks the ball straight past the bowler beating mid off for a superb boundary.