The stage is set for the start of the T20I phase bangladesh host new zealand For the first T20I at Bir Shrestho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram. Having recently won the ODI series 2-1, the Tigers are riding a wave of momentum while the depleted Kiwis are trying to find their feet in tough subcontinental conditions.
Bangladesh are entering this series as favourites, especially as many of New Zealand’s key stars are away for the IPL. Liton Das Leads a balanced team that blends the experience of Saifuddin and Mahedi Hasan with the raw speed of noisy islam. Bangladesh’s ability to exploit slow, winding tracks makes them a formidable opponent on home soil.
New Zealand, captained by Tom LathamFielding a relatively inexperienced side. While he struggled in ODIs, the T20 format gives him a chance to play more freely. To keep an eye Dean FoxcroftWho shone in ODIs, and experienced spin Ish SodhiWhich will be important in stopping the Bangladeshi middle order.
BAN vs NZ, 1st T20I: Match details
- date and time: 27 April; 1:30 PM IST / 8:00 AM GMT / 2:00 PM Local
- venue: Bir Shrestho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram
BAN vs NZ, head-to-head record (T20I):
matches played: 20 | BAN won: 4 | New Zealand won: 15 | no result/tied: 1
Bir Shrestho Flt Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium Pitch Report
The surface at Chattogram’s Bir Shrestho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium is widely considered a balanced wicket, although it traditionally offers a slight edge to the bowlers as the game progresses. In the early stages of the match, the ball usually comes well onto the bat, giving top-order batsmen the opportunity to take advantage of the new ball during the powerplay. However, as the innings progress, the pitch becomes considerably slower, allowing the spinners ample grip and turn.
Historically, while fast bowlers have taken more wickets at this position (about 61%), slower bowlers often dictate pace and economy in the middle overs. Humidity is a major atmospheric factor in Chattogram; If dew occurs during the second innings, it may make the ball slippery for the fielding team, potentially prompting the captain who wins the toss to opt to chase to minimize the disadvantage of bowling last on a wet surface.
Squad:
new zealand: Tom Latham (wk/captain), Katy Clarke, Dane Cleaver, Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears, Jayden Lennox, Tim Robinson, Ben Lister, Matthew Fisher.
bangladesh: Tanzeem Hasan Shakib, Saif Hasan, Liton Das (WK/Captain), Parvez Hossain Emon, Tauheed Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Tanzeed Hasan Tamim, Shoriful Islam, Nurul Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Ripon Mondol, Abdul Ghaffar Saqlain.
Also Read: Mohsin Khan takes sensational five-wicket haul against KKR in IPL 2026, fans go crazy
BAN vs NZ, 1st T20I: Today’s match prediction
Case 1:
- Bangladesh won the toss and bowled first
- New Zealand Powerplay Score: 40-50
- New Zealand’s total score: 150-160
Case 2:
- New Zealand won the toss and bowled first
- Bangladesh Powerplay Score: 50-60
- Bangladesh’s total score: 160-170
Match result: The team that bowls first wins the competition.
Also read: Abdul Ghaffar Saqlain has been included in the Bangladesh squad for the first time for the first two T20 matches against New Zealand.
