Cricket is a sport that unites nations and excites millions of fans across the globe. When it comes to Bangladesh and New Zealand, their encounters have been no exception, offering thrilling cricketing moments for fans of both teams. The rivalry between the Bangladesh National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team has developed over the years into one filled with tension, high expectations, and a sense of unpredictability. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the history, key moments, and a detailed timeline of matches between these two nations.
Table of Contents
History of Bangladesh vs New Zealand Cricket Rivalry: Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline
The first encounter between Bangladesh and New Zealand in international cricket occurred in 1990. Over the years, both teams have met across different formats—Test cricket, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). New Zealand has historically been the stronger side, given their early establishment in world cricket, while Bangladesh emerged as a rising force in the cricketing world after gaining Test status in 2000.
New Zealand’s cricket team is known for its discipline and consistency, often regarded as one of the most well-rounded teams globally. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has had a journey of growth, showcasing remarkable improvements, particularly in white-ball cricket over the last decade.
Although New Zealand has dominated most of their matches, Bangladesh has pulled off some stunning upsets, especially in home conditions. In recent years, Bangladesh has grown more competitive, making the rivalry more engaging for cricket fans worldwide.
Key Moments in the Bangladesh vs New Zealand Rivalry
Bangladesh’s First Victory Over New Zealand (ODI – 2008)
One of the key moments in this rivalry came in 2008 when Bangladesh secured their first-ever ODI win over New Zealand. The match, held in Dhaka, saw Bangladesh chasing down New Zealand’s target comfortably, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s cricket history.
New Zealand’s Tour of Bangladesh (2010)
In 2010, New Zealand toured Bangladesh for a five-match ODI series. To everyone’s surprise, Bangladesh won the series 4-0, marking their first-ever series win against New Zealand. This was a turning point in the rivalry, as it showed that Bangladesh could outclass a top-tier team on home soil.
Test Cricket Encounters
While New Zealand has historically been the stronger side in Test cricket, Bangladesh has shown their capability to challenge the Kiwis, especially during the 2017 Test series in New Zealand. Despite losing, Bangladesh put up a commendable fight, with key players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim standing out with the bat.
2021: Bangladesh’s Historic T20I Series Win
A monumental moment came in 2021 when Bangladesh won their first-ever T20I series against New Zealand. Bangladesh won the series 3-2, highlighting their growing prowess in the shortest format of the game. This series was significant not just for the victory, but also for the mental edge it provided to Bangladesh ahead of future encounters.
Timeline of Matches Between Bangladesh and New Zealand
Here is a detailed timeline of key matches between Bangladesh and New Zealand across all formats:
| Date | Match Format | Venue | Result | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 28, 1990 | ODI | Sharjah | New Zealand won by 6 wickets | First-ever encounter between Bangladesh and New Zealand. |
| May 26-30, 2001 | Test | Hamilton | New Zealand won by an innings and 52 runs | First Test match between the two sides. |
| October 9, 2008 | ODI | Dhaka | Bangladesh won by 7 wickets | Bangladesh’s first-ever ODI win over New Zealand. |
| October 14, 2010 | ODI | Dhaka | Bangladesh won by 9 runs | Bangladesh wins the ODI series 4-0. |
| February 28, 2013 | ODI | Napier | New Zealand won by 3 wickets | New Zealand chase down 237 to win the match. |
| January 4-8, 2017 | Test | Wellington | New Zealand won by 7 wickets | Shakib Al Hasan scores 217, the highest by a Bangladeshi batsman in Tests. |
| January 20-24, 2017 | Test | Christchurch | New Zealand won by 9 wickets | Tom Latham’s century anchors New Zealand’s win. |
| March 13, 2021 | ODI | Dunedin | New Zealand won by 8 wickets | New Zealand dominate with a clinical bowling performance. |
| September 1, 2021 | T20I | Dhaka | Bangladesh won by 7 wickets | Bangladesh wins the opening match of the T20I series, securing their first T20I win against New Zealand. |
| September 10, 2021 | T20I | Dhaka | Bangladesh won by 6 wickets | Bangladesh secures their first T20I series win over New Zealand (3-2). |
Bangladesh vs New Zealand: Test Cricket Encounters
The Early Days of Test Cricket
The first Test match between Bangladesh and New Zealand was held in 2001, when Bangladesh had just recently acquired Test status. New Zealand dominated the match, winning by an innings and 52 runs in Hamilton. Over the next decade, New Zealand continued to assert dominance in the longer format of the game, often winning matches by comfortable margins.
However, Bangladesh began to show signs of improvement in the late 2010s. During their 2017 tour of New Zealand, Bangladesh produced competitive performances, including a 595-run innings in the first Test in Wellington. Although they lost both matches in the series, Bangladesh’s batting performance, including a double century by Shakib Al Hasan, indicated the team’s potential in Test cricket.
One-Day Internationals: Bangladesh’s Breakthrough
Bangladesh’s First ODI Win in 2008
Bangladesh’s breakthrough in ODI cricket came in 2008, when they defeated New Zealand in Dhaka. Bangladesh chased down a total of 201 in 44.5 overs with contributions from Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. This victory was significant for Bangladesh as it broke New Zealand’s winning streak and gave them the confidence to take on stronger teams in international cricket.
The 2010 ODI Series Win
In 2010, Bangladesh’s ODI cricket team achieved a historic 4-0 series win against New Zealand. This series remains a high point in Bangladesh’s cricketing history, showcasing their ability to dominate even strong opposition, especially on home turf. Led by Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladeshi team put together consistent performances in all three departments—batting, bowling, and fielding.
T20I Encounters: Bangladesh’s Rise in the Shortest Format
2021 T20I Series Victory
The most significant T20I encounter between Bangladesh and New Zealand occurred in September 2021. The series was played on Bangladesh’s home turf in Dhaka, and it was a closely fought contest. Bangladesh managed to secure a 3-2 series victory, which was their first-ever T20I series win over New Zealand. The series was marked by low-scoring encounters, with Bangladesh’s bowlers, including Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan, taking center stage.
The 2021 series also highlighted the growing confidence of Bangladesh in the T20I format, as they successfully defended low totals and showcased their bowling depth. New Zealand, although fielding a relatively young and inexperienced team, fought hard but couldn’t manage to overcome Bangladesh’s spin attack.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Shakib Al Hasan
As one of the finest all-rounders in the world, Shakib Al Hasan has played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s success against New Zealand. His performance in the 2008 ODI series, where he was instrumental in Bangladesh’s victory, and his remarkable double century in the 2017 Wellington Test, remain etched in memory.
Ross Taylor
For New Zealand, Ross Taylor has been a key figure in their encounters against Bangladesh. His experience and reliability in the middle order have often anchored New Zealand’s innings, and he has been one of the most successful batsmen in matches between the two sides.
Tim Southee and Trent Boult
New Zealand’s fast bowling duo, Tim Southee and Trent Boult, have consistently troubled Bangladeshi batsmen, especially in New Zealand’s home conditions. Their ability to swing the ball and generate pace has made them potent weapons in this rivalry.
Conclusion
The rivalry between Bangladesh and New Zealand has grown in stature over the years. While New Zealand has historically held the upper hand in most formats, Bangladesh’s rise, particularly in limited-overs cricket, has added an exciting dimension to their encounters. With more competitive cricket expected in the coming years, fans can look forward to more thrilling contests between these two teams.
As both nations continue to develop their cricketing prowess, future Bangladesh vs. New Zealand matches promise to deliver more memorable moments and upsets. The rivalry has now become one of the most anticipated fixtures on the international cricket calendar.
