BAN vs NZ Live Thriller: Bangladesh’s Last-Over Heroics, Full Scorecard, Highlights & How to Watch

BAN vs NZ 1st T20I, Chattogram: Litton Das puts Kiwis in to bat as Kelly steps up for injured Latham Chattogram, 27 April 2026—Bangladesh skipper Litton Das won the toss at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium and opted to bowl in the opening T20I of the three-match series against New Zealand, a clash that follows the Tigers’ 2-1 ODI triumph earlier in the week. Key headlines • Captaincy shuffle: Regular New Zealand leader Tom Latham is sidelined after a training-ground blow to the toe; middle-order batter Nick Kelly takes the armband for the first time in T20Is. • Double debut: Seamers Matthew Fisher and Nathan Smith earn maiden T20I caps for the Blackcaps. • Tigers tweak attack: Young quick Ripon Mondol replaces Mohammad Saifuddin in Bangladesh’s XI as they hunt a first-ever T20I series win over New Zealand at home. Confirmed playing XIs Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (c/wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Ripon Mondol. New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly (c), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Matthew Fisher, Ben Lister. Pitch and conditions The Chattogram surface historically aids spinners in the middle overs but offers early seam movement under coastal humidity. With rain unlikely and a par score projected around 160, captains have preferred chasing—mirrored by Das’ decision today. Form snapshot • Bangladesh: riding momentum after sealing their first bilateral ODI series win over NZ, powered by Litton Das’ 133* in Dhaka. • New Zealand: youthful squad adjusting to sub-continental conditions; Kelly struck back-to-back ODI fifties and is key again at No.4. Players to watch 1. Tanzid Hasan – explosive left-hander averaging 46 in home T20Is this season. 2. Katene Clarke – the Kiwi dasher scored 288 runs at 158 SR in the recent Super Smash. 3. Rishad Hossain – Bangladesh’s wrist-spinner claimed 10 wickets in the ODI leg and relishes turning tracks. 4. Ish Sodhi – senior pro tasked with containing Tigers’ middle order. Match prediction Bangladesh’s blend of spin depth and recent confidence makes them slight favourites, but if Kelly anchors and Clarke explodes, the visitors can post a defendable total. Expect a tight finish inside the final over. How to follow Live streaming: Bangladesh TV (GTV), Spark Sport NZ, ICC.tv in select regions. Ball-by-ball commentary and real-time scorecard: ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz. Updates on social: #BANvNZ on X, Instagram, and Facebook. Search-friendly keywords: BAN vs NZ 1st T20I live score, Bangladesh vs New Zealand playing XI, Chattogram pitch report, BAN v NZ where to watch, BAN vs NZ prediction 2026.