DHAKA, April 27, 2026 (BSS)-Bangladesh captain Liton Das won the toss and sent New Zealand into bat first in the three-match T20 International series opener at Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram today.

The match marks Bangladesh's return to the T20 format after playing their last series against Ireland in November 2025.

Pace bowler Ripon Mondol was drafted into the squad as the only new face, although he played the Asia Games in 2023, which the ICC marked as International matches.

New Zealand fielded a fresh squad, with Ish Sodhi the only member remaining from their recent World Cup campaign.

The visitors will be led by Nick Kelly after regular captain Tom Latham suffered a toe injury during a practice session.

Bangladesh won the preceding ODI series 2-1, despite losing the first match.

Line Ups: 

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Liton Das (capt & wk), Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Patwari, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Ripon Mondol

New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly (capt), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Matthew Fisher, Ben Lister