Mahmudullah struck a fluent 52 as Bangladesh recovered from a shaky start to post a fighting 140-8 in their opening T20 game against New Zealand at the Maclean Park today.

Mahmudhllah treated the fans with some delightful strokes after Bangladesh were reduced to 30-4 in 5.1 overs. His 47-ball knock contained three fours and as many sixes including a magnificent one straight over the bowler’s head. Mahmudullah apart, Mosaddek Hossain made some good contribution to the total.

His 17-ball 20 contained two sixes. He also shared 36 runs for the sixth wicket with Mahmudullah after Shakib Al Hasan was dismissed for 14.

Bangladesh suffered early bowls after captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza won the toss and decided to bat on a wicket that promised lot of runs.

Imrul was first to go, playing a nothing shot, for a duck in the second over with the scoreboard reading 4-1. Sabbir Rahman showed his attacking intent from the first ball but got out to a full toss after scoring 16.

Tamim’s first shot of aggression turned into a tame catch at mid-wicket and Soumya Sarker was out to a peach of a delivery as Bangladesh lost three wickets for two runs including two off successive deliveries off Lockie Ferguson.

Mahmudullah survived the hattrick delivery and took the score to some respectability.

Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan (Wicketkeeper), Mashrafe Mortaza (Captain), Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain

New Zealand

KS Williamson (Captain), NT Broom, C Munro, CJ Anderson, TC Bruce, C de Grandhomme, L Ronchi (Wicketkeeper), MJ Santner, BM Wheeler, MJ Henry, LH Ferguson