Staff Correspondent

Mahmudullah Riyad hit the runs shot as Bangladesh created history by winning their first bilateral T20I series against New Zealand, registering a six-wicket win in the fourth T20I at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday to seal the five-match series 3-1.

Yesterday’s win was also Bangladesh’s ninth T20I victory of the year, the most by any team this year.

The Tigers chased down the small target of 94 runs with five balls to spare, continuing their dominance in the game’s shortest format at home with a third successive T20I series, building on a maiden series win over Australia last month.

T20I skipper Mahmudullah guided his troops in the fourth T20I with an unbeaten 43 off 48 balls while opener Naim Sheikh added 29 runs.

However, it was not a straightforward chase, with Bangladesh at one stage struggling on 33 for three after Liton Das (6), Shakib Al Hasan (8) and Mushfiqur Rahim (0) departed in quick succession before Mahmudullah steadied the ship.

Earlier, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham elected to bat but the visitors failed to capitalise in the face of a clinical bowling display by the Tigers.

Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and pacer Mustafizur Rahman shared eight wickets as the Kiwis were bundled out below 100 runs for the second time this series.