Bangladesh sealed a memorable 2–1 ODI series victory over New Zealand national cricket team with a commanding 55-run win in the decider at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium on Thursday.
The triumph was shaped by a matured knock in all but name from Najmul Hossain Shanto, whose poise under pressure defined both the match and the series narrative.
After losing the toss for the third straight game, Bangladesh were rocked early by Will O’Rourke’s fiery spell. The pacer removed both openers inside two overs and later dismissed Soumya Sarkar, leaving the hosts reeling at 32 for 3. At that stage, the momentum firmly belonged to the visitors. But Shanto, continuing his resurgence after breaking a long fifty-less run in the previous match, responded with composure and authority.
Shanto crafted a superb 105 off 119 balls, striking nine fours and two sixes. More crucially, he stitched together a 160-run fourth-wicket partnership with Litton Das that rebuilt the innings from crisis. While Litton’s 76 off 91 balls marked a timely return to form after a prolonged lean patch, it was Shanto who dictated tempo, absorbed pressure, and rotated strike expertly. His century—his fourth in ODIs—came off 114 balls and was a testament to maturity in shot selection and temperament in sweltering conditions.
Although Bangladesh lost wickets in clusters after Shanto’s dismissal, Towhid Hridoy’s brisk unbeaten 33 ensured the total reached a competitive 265 for 8. On a surface that played better than the earlier games in the series, the score appeared defendable but required disciplined bowling.
The bowlers responded emphatically. Mustafizur Rahman, drafted into the XI for the decider, delivered a masterclass in variation and control, claiming 5 for 43. Nahid Rana’s pace accounted for key middle-order wickets, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz applied the finishing touch by dismissing Dean Foxcroft for a fighting 75. New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 210 in 44.5 overs.
Bangladesh’s ability to recover from early setbacks with the bat and maintain relentless pressure with the ball highlighted a growing resilience in the ODI setup. Shanto emerged as the series’ leading run-scorer with 155 runs, underlining his importance as the backbone of the batting unit. His return to form not only anchored this victory but also signaled stability at a crucial phase for the team.
