Ariful, Sabbir power Bangladesh HP XI to 23-run win over New Zealand ‘A’

Darwin, 27 August 2026: Ariful Islam and Sabbir Rahman struck half-centuries before Bangladesh High Performance XI’s bowlers held New Zealand ‘A’ to 158-8 for a 23-run win in the Top End T20 Series on Thursday.

Bangladesh HP XI posted 181-5 after being sent in at Marrara Cricket Ground, with Ariful making 71 from 48 balls and Sabbir finishing unbeaten on 62 from 36.

The victory was Bangladesh HP XI’s fourth in five matches and kept it at the top of the points table. New Zealand ‘A’ suffered its third defeat in five games.

Bangladesh lost Jishan Alam for a duck in the opening over before Habibur Rahman Sohan made 26 from 21 balls. Ariful then steadied the innings, hitting seven fours and two sixes.

He and Sabbir put together a crucial 90-run fourth-wicket partnership, lifting Bangladesh from 51-3 to 141-4. Sabbir accelerated late, striking six fours and two sixes at a strike rate of more than 172.

Matthew Fisher took 2-31 for New Zealand ‘A’.

Chasing 182, New Zealand ‘A’ started briskly through Katene Clarke, who made 24 from 10 balls. Max Chu scored 44 from 33 and Matthew Boyle added 31 from 22 as New Zealand A reached 84-2 in the ninth over.

Bangladesh then seized control. Rakibul Hasan dismissed Boyle, Bevon Jacobs and Chu to derail the chase, finishing with 3-23 from four overs.

Ripon Mondol also claimed three wickets, including Clarke, Zak Gibson and Fisher, as New Zealand A struggled to rebuild. Josh Clarkson remained unbeaten on 25 but could not lift his side close enough to the target.

New Zealand ‘A’ finished 23 runs short despite batting through its 20 overs.

Scores in brief:

Bangladesh HP XI won by 23 runs

Bangladesh HP XI 181-5 in 20 overs (Ariful Islam 71, Sabbir Rahman 62 not out, Habibur Rahman Sohan 26; Matthew Fisher 2-31)

New Zealand ‘A’ 158-8 in 20 overs (Max Chu 44, Matthew Boyle 31, Josh Clarkson 25 not out; Rakibul Hasan 3-23, Ripon Mondol 3-27)