Bangladesh registered a brilliant victory over New Zealand by chasing down a target of 183 runs in style. The Tigers won the opening T20I of the three-match series by six wickets with 12 balls to spare.

Towhid Hridoy starred with an unbeaten half-century, scoring 51*, while Shamim Hossain Patwari played a match-winning cameo of 31* off just 13 balls.

With the win, Litton Das’ side took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Bangladesh’s victory was virtually sealed in the 17th over when Shamim launched a fierce assault on Ben Lister.

A total of 25 runs came from the over. Hridoy added one run, while two no-balls and one wide contributed three extras. The remaining 21 runs came off Shamim’s bat.

That over reduced Bangladesh’s equation to just five runs needed from the final three overs. Shamim and Hridoy comfortably completed the chase in the following over.

Earlier, opener Saif Hasan made 17, Tanzid Hasan Tamim scored 20, captain Litton Das added 21, while Parvez Hossain Emon chipped in with a quick 28 off 14 balls.

Batting first, New Zealand posted 182 for 6 in their 20 overs, thanks to half-centuries from Katene Clarke and Dane Cleaver. Both batters scored 51 runs each.

For Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain picked up two wickets, while Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mahedi Hasan claimed one wicket each. Debutant Ripon Mondol went wicketless, conceding 39 runs in his four overs.