Bangladesh beat New Zealand to win the series

Bangladesh secured a comprehensive 55-run victory against New Zealand in the series-deciding final match, clinching the three-match ODI series 2-1 on Thursday. Dominating both with the bat and the ball, the hosts maintained control for the majority of the game despite a spirited fightback from the visitors. According to reports from ESPNcricinfo and Reuters, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s brilliant century and a devastating five-wicket haul by Mustafizur Rahman paved the way for the home side‍‍`s triumph in front of a passionate home crowd.

Batting first, Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 265 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs. The innings faced early turbulence when New Zealand‍‍`s fast bowler Will O’Rourke delivered a fiery spell in the afternoon. O’Rourke claimed three crucial wickets for just 32 runs, temporarily putting the hosts on the back foot. The innings was subsequently stabilized by a vital partnership between Najmul Hossain Shanto and Liton Das. Shanto played a magnificent knock, scoring 105 runs off 119 deliveries, while Liton contributed a fluent 76. Their resilience ensured Bangladesh reached a defendable total. Late contributions from Towhid Hridoy, who scored 33, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz with 22 runs, provided the final flourish to the innings against a disciplined Kiwi bowling attack. Lennox and Lister picked up two wickets each for New Zealand.

Chasing a target of 266, New Zealand’s response was characterized by brief moments of promise followed by a steady loss of wickets. The visitors seemed to be building a solid platform until Nick Kelly was dismissed after scoring a well-made 59. His departure triggered a middle-order collapse that shifted the momentum entirely in Bangladesh‍‍`s favor. Dean Foxcroft emerged as the lone warrior for the touring side, launching a counter-attack with a rapid 75 off 72 balls. He fought valiantly to keep the chase alive but struggled to find adequate support from the lower order. Apart from Abbas‍‍`s 25, the rest of the batting lineup faltered under the mounting run rate and accurate bowling. Foxcroft was the last man to fall, wrapping up the New Zealand innings at 210 in 44.5 overs.

The architect of the bowling success for Bangladesh was the returning Mustafizur Rahman. Making his first appearance in the series, the left-arm pacer delivered a masterclass in limited-overs bowling, claiming five wickets for 43 runs. His variations and accuracy consistently troubled the New Zealand batters and prevented them from building any match-winning partnerships. He was well supported by young speedster Nahid Rana and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, both of whom took two wickets each. Rana’s aggressive pace throughout the three matches earned him the Player of the Series award, finishing with an impressive tally of eight wickets. Shanto was rightly named Player of the Match for his match-defining century. This series victory serves as a significant boost for Bangladesh ahead of their upcoming international assignments.