As Bangladesh made their international cricket debut, many predicted years of one-sided contests. Yet cricket statistics tell a different tale, showing how systematic improvement can close gaps over time, as reflected in the Bangladesh National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Match Scorecard that highlights their steady rise and competitive performances.
New Zealand were forced to work hard for their inaugural One Day International victory over Bangladesh. Brooke Halliday and Sophie Devine batted superbly to put New Zealand in an advantageous position for victory.
| Date | Format | Bangladesh Score | New Zealand Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Feb 2025 | ODI | 236/9 (50) | 240/5 (46.1) | New Zealand won by 5 wkts |
| 23 Dec 2023 | ODI | 99/1 (15.1) | 98 (all out) | Bangladesh won by 9 wkts |
| 20 Dec 2023 | ODI | 291 (49.5) | 296/3 (46.2) | New Zealand won by 7 wkts |
| 17 Dec 2023 | ODI | 200/9 (50) | 239/7 (50) | New Zealand won by 44 runs |
| 13 Oct 2023 | ODI | 245/9 (50) | 248/2 (42.5) | New Zealand won by 8 wkts |
T20s
New Zealand have a rich history of T20 rivalry with Bangladesh. The two teams have met over a hundred times in this format, with each team winning around 50 matches.
The rivalry is often close, with many low scoring thrillers.
Bangladesh’s 2022 home ODI series against New Zealand marked a turning point in this rivalry. Until that point, New Zealand was dominant in Tests and ODIs.
Bangladesh’s mix of experienced players like Mashrafe Mortaza and younger talent in Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, and Mushfiqur Rahim started to pay dividends.
T20s offered a different playground, where Bangladesh’s bowlers could squeeze the middle overs and their batsmen chased with composure.
They outthought and outplayed a team that was traditionally stronger on pace friendly Mirpur pitches. This victory did not feel lucky; it felt earned. It altered the psychological balance of this rivalry.
But the victory was marred by a storm of controversy over India’s treatment of Bangladeshi players. The incident amplified wider resentment towards India fueled by trade disputes and anger over New Delhi’s hosting of fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since her ousting in July 2024.
With national elections looming, tensions between the countries remain high, and Bangladesh is apprehensive about the impact on cricket.
The decision to cancel the tour sparked anger in Bangladesh and raised questions about the role of the ICC. The government has urged the ICC to reconsider its position.
However, the governing body has not given any indication that it would change its stance. It remains to be seen whether the ICC will return to Dhaka in 2023.
The suspension of the tour has left Bangladesh’s cricketers with a light domestic schedule this season. But the BCB is making the best of the situation by offering a local T20 tournament to fill the gap.
The event will feature three teams and offer 25 million taka in total tournament prize money and player fees. While some critics have argued that the tournament is not worth the cost, others have said that it’s better to keep politics out of the game than risk a boycott by fans.
Tests
Bangladesh cricket team survived with minimal damage after the Christchurch mosque attacks, where 49 people were killed and 48 others injured during an attack that has raised security concerns in New Zealand where mass shootings are uncommon.
Bangladesh was scheduled to play its third test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval near Masjid Al Noor Mosque; however, its match has since been postponed, with players flying home shortly.
ESPN’s Bangladesh correspondent Mohammad Isam reported hearing gunshots and seeing carnage while travelling towards a mosque, prompting them to remain on the bus until police escorted them out via its backdoor. Isam stated that players were shaken and distressed and were not mentally capable of playing cricket.
Bangladesh first gained international recognition through a cricket tournament held between 1976-77 that helped earn full membership status with the International Cricket Council.
Today, Bangladesh ranks amongst the top ten Test-playing nations and regularly participates in both ODI and T20 competition.
Bangladesh is led by two world-class batsmen – Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. Together they have propelled their side forward in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Test matches.
Bangladesh boasts several superb spinners like Nazmul Haque and Muhsin Ershad to add even further stability.
Bangladesh may not have much international Test experience, but that should not stop their team from challenging New Zealand in the upcoming Test series.
Their players have shown tremendous promise recently and should be able to compete well against New Zealanders in this Test series; its winner will earn entry into 2025 ICC Champions Trophy as the inaugural Asian team and would represent an enormous victory for Bangladesh.
ODIs
New Zealand was dominant in this rivalry until recently, winning 74% of ODI matches between them and Bangladesh. Yet statistics do not lie: Bangladesh have made steady improvements over time and now pose genuine threats.
Their recent performances in ODIs demonstrate this change: home conditions offer them a huge edge while their increasingly confident batting line-up can withstand New Zealand’s fast bowling attack.
Mount Maunganui 2022 Test Series marked a turning point in this dynamic. Ebadot Hossain’s fiery spell dismantled an experienced batting line-up while Najmul Hossain Shanto scored his century to lead Bangladesh to victory – both events being historic victories that altered the nature of rivalries; going from survival mode to control. Bangladesh now have comparable batting averages and strike rates to many top-tier teams while their bowling averages are also rapidly improving.
These advancements are evident in ODIs, where Bangladesh currently ranks eighth compared to tenth only five years ago. Their batting has become more consistent and wickets can be taken faster while young players are showing that they can defend big totals against New Zealand.
This change has sharply upped the intensity of matchups, as both sides strive to gain an advantage. Recent matches have been tight, including several high-scoring contests.
The next game in this two-match series between New Zealand and Bangladesh will be an important one, as its winner will assume control.
Set for April 25th at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, this match could give both sides momentum heading into World Cup 2019. Over 46 ODI matches between these sides – New Zealand won 34 and Bangladesh 11. No draw occurred ever. Next two-match series to start May 27th in Eden Park
T20Is
Before Bangladesh gained full international cricket status in 2000, they suffered against New Zealand. The Black Caps were strong competitors who employed disciplined seam attacks and experienced batsmen – managing pace while controlling chase tempo with precision.
Bangladesh struggled to establish themselves during this rivalry and often suffered heavy defeats and steep learning curves, until its 2013 home series against New Zealand.
On slow Mirpur surfaces, Tigers outwitted an opposition that had long dominated them – Ebadot Hossain’s fiery spell dismantled a veteran batting lineup while Najmul Hossain Shanto spearheaded a successful chase resulting in an extraordinary eight wicket win – ultimately shifting power in this rivalry and altering its balance for good.
Bangladesh were struggling after the powerplay, finding themselves 33-6 after seven overs. But they battled back with determination and defiance to overcome that deficit – Fahima Khatun and Nahida Akter put on 33 before Fahima was caught off Eden Carson off Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair broke up their seventh-wicket partnership by taking an exquisite catch off Shahida Akhter Supta to dismiss her for 4 (28). Rabeya Khan chipped a catch to Sophie Devine overs and was out for 23.
So far, the hosts’ bowlers have demonstrated their quality but the Kiwis remain an unpredictable team. Their batsmen are swift off the mark and adept at exploiting any weaknesses in opposition defences, while Jess Kerr and Rosemary Mair lead a formidable bowling attack – not forgetting top order players with considerable match winning experience such as Leigh Kasperek or Tammy Beaumont who lead their bowling attack.
New Zealand and Bangladesh will engage in five Twenty20 Internationals over six weeks between November and December as part of the 2019-20 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier series, with Dhaka hosting the opening game at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium before playing matches in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland – New Zealand has won the toss and elected to bat first.
