The Bangladesh vs New Zealand Test history began with their first-ever meeting in Hamilton in December 2001.
Under the leadership of Stephen Fleming, New Zealand thrashed Bangladesh by an innings and 52 runs in the first Test of a two-match series.
The hosts later hammered the Khaled Mashud-led Bangladesh by an innings and 74 runs in the second Test in Wellington to clinch the series 2-0.
Since then, Bangladesh and New Zealand have played 17 Tests against each other.
The Kiwis have a dominant head-to-head record against Bangladesh in Test cricket, winning 13 of the 17 matches that they have contested so far. The Tigers have secured just a solitary victory while three matches have ended in draws.
Both sides have registered numerous records during their battles in cricket’s longest format and here we take a closer look at some of those Bangladesh vs New Zealand Test records and stats.
Bangladesh vs New Zealand Test records and stats
Highest team total
The New Zealand national cricket team holds the record for the highest team total in Bangladesh vs New Zealand Tests. During the first Test of Bangladesh’s tour of New Zealand in Hamilton in 2019, the hosts posted a mammoth total of 715/6d in their first innings having earlier bundled out the visitors for 234. New Zealand rode on captain Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 200, Tom Latham’s 161 and Jeet Raval’s 132 to record their highest total in Test cricket history. The hosts then once again bowled out Bangladesh for 429 in their second innings to win the Test by an innings and 52 runs. New Zealand later clinched the two-match Test series 2-0.
Lowest team total
The Bangladesh national cricket team registered the lowest team total in Bangladesh vs New Zealand Test history. After following on, the Khaled Mashud-led Bangladesh was skittled out for 108 in their second innings of the first Test in Hamilton in 2001 to suffer an innings defeat. Opening batter Al Sahariar was the top-scorer for Bangladesh with 53. For New Zealand, star all-rounder Chris Cairns was the wrecker-in-chief with seven scalps. Earlier, New Zealand managed 365/9d in their first innings before bowling out Bangladesh for 205. New Zealand won the Hamilton Test by an innings and 52 runs. The hosts also bagged the two-match Test series 2-0.
Most runs
Tamim Iqbal holds the record for the most runs in Bangladesh vs New Zealand Tests. Between 2008 and 2019, the Bangladesh cricketer amassed 908 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 45.40. Tamim slammed one hundred and eight fifties against New Zealand in Test cricket. He registered his highest score of 126 against the Kiwis in the first Test in Hamilton in 2019. For New Zealand, Ross Taylor scored the most runs against Bangladesh in Tests. He accumulated 746 runs in 11 Tests.
Most wickets
New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori took the most wickets in this Test fixture. The left-arm spinner picked 51 wickets in just nine Tests against Bangladesh at an average of 16.05 and a strike rate of 42.43. For Bangladesh, star left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan has the most wickets against New Zealand in Test cricket. Shakib has scalped 26 wickets in eight Tests at an average of 28.92.
Highest individual score
Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham holds the record for the highest individual score in Bangladesh vs New Zealand Tests. While opening the batting, Tom Latham scored 252 off just 373 balls during the second Test of Bangladesh’s tour of New Zealand in Christchurch in 2022. His double hundred was laced with 34 fours and two maximums. Latham’s scintillating double ton powered New Zealand to 521/6d in their first innings. The hosts later bowled out Bangladesh for 126 and 278, respectively, to win the Test by an innings and 117 runs. The two-match Test series ended 1-1.
Best bowling figures in an innings
Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan has the best bowling figures in an innings in this Test fixture. During the first Test of New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2008, Shakib Al Hasan recorded figures of 7/36 to bowl out the visitors for 171 in their first innings. The left-arm spinner bagged the wickets of Aaron Redmond, Jamie How, Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills and Iain O'Brien. Despite Shakib’s incredible spell, New Zealand won the Chattogram Test by three wickets.
Best bowling figures in a match
Daniel Vettori holds the record for the best bowling figures in a match in Bangladesh vs New Zealand Tests. The left-arm spinner took 12 wickets for 170 runs during the second of New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2004. While Vettori bagged six wickets for 70 runs in the first innings, he bagged another six wickets for 100 runs in the second innings. New Zealand won the Test by an innings and 101 runs to clinch the two-match series 2-0.
Highest partnership
Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim hold the record for the highest partnership in Bangladesh vs New Zealand Tests. During the first Test of Bangladesh’s tour of New Zealand in Wellington in 2017, Shakib and Mushfiqur forged a 359-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help the visitors post 595/8d in their first innings. Shakib slammed 217, while Mushfiqur scored 159. The incredible partnership though went in vain as New Zealand won the Test by seven wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Photo credit: Alamy
