Bangladesh kept the series alive with a commanding six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second ODI at Mirpur on Monday. Needing a win to stay in the series, Bangladesh completed the job with 87 balls to spare, levelling the three-match series 1-1. Bangladesh finished the chase in 35.3 overs, securing a series-levelling win.
Nahid Rana set up the win with a fiery spell, taking his second five-wicket haul in ODIs as New Zealand were bowled out for 198.
In reply, Bangladesh overcame an early setback of two wickets for 21 runs, thanks to a crucial 120-run stand between Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Tanzid scored a fluent 76 off 58 balls, hitting 10 fours and 4 sixes before falling. Shanto reached his fifty off 71 balls but retired hurt due to cramps after contributing significantly in the partnership. Towhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz then guided Bangladesh home.
Shanto ends fifty drought but retires hurt in heat
Shanto had last scored a fifty 13 innings ago, coincidentally against New Zealand. He broke that drought against the same opposition in Mirpur, bringing up his 11th ODI half-century off 71 balls. However, the effort took a toll as he went down with cramps in the intense heat. The team physio rushed in immediately, but despite treatment, he could not continue and left the field retired hurt on an unbeaten 50.
Earlier, Shanto had put Bangladesh on course for victory with a 120-run partnership alongside Tanzid Hasan Tamim. Litton Das, playing his 100th ODI, was dismissed for 7.
Bangladesh are 167 for 4 in 28.1 overs, needing 32 more runs to win.
Tanzid falls after blazing 76 as Bangladesh reach 142/3
Tanzid Hasan Tamim hit his fourth six of the innings off Jayden Lennox, going down the ground in style. On the very next ball, he attempted the same shot again, but mistimed it, getting a top edge that was safely taken by Henry Nicholls at short cover.
The left-handed opener scored a quick 76 off 58 balls, including 10 fours and 4 sixes.
After 23 overs, Bangladesh are 142 for 3, needing 57 runs from 27 overs for victory.
Tanzid-Shanto stitch century partnership stand as Bangladesh recover
After an early collapse, Bangladesh have fought back strongly through a century partnership between Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto in the third-wicket stand during the 199-run chase.
The pair have added 111 runs, putting Bangladesh back in control in this must-win encounter. Tanzid is batting on 68, while Shanto remains unbeaten on 39.
After 21 overs, Bangladesh are 132 for 2, needing another 67 runs for victory.
Tanzid’s sixth fifty
Tanzid brings up his sixth ODI fifty with a six over deep midwicket off Dean Foxcroft, reaching the milestone in 32 balls. The left-handed opener has scored 59 off 44 deliveries, hitting 7 fours and 3 sixes.
His partner Najmul Hossain Shanto remains unbeaten on 27 off 37 balls. The pair have added 84 runs for the third wicket. After 17 overs, Bangladesh are 105 for 2, needing 94 runs from 33 overs for victory.
Tanzid-Shanto take Bangladesh past 50-run mark
After losing Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar within the first 21 runs, Bangladesh were put under early pressure. From there, the partnership between Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto steadied the innings and carried the team past the 50-run mark.
Tanzid has looked fluent, striking two sixes and two fours on his way to an unbeaten 25 off 19 balls, while Shanto has made 13 off 11 deliveries.
The duo has added 35 runs for the third wicket. After 8 overs, Bangladesh are 57 for 2.
Soumya subdued on return
Despite being the highest scorer in the previous series, Soumya Sarkar had to sit out on the sidelines during the Pakistan series. He was brought back into the XI for Monday’s second ODI against New Zealand, replacing Afif Hossain.
Batting at number three, however, the left-hander could not make a substantial impact. Trying to play his signature “periscope” shot off a Will O’Rourke bouncer, he only managed a top edge and was caught by Dean Foxcroft at slip.
Earlier in the same over, he had shown intent with a stylish inside-out shot over extra cover for six. He scored 8 off 11 balls.
After 5 overs, Bangladesh were 34 for 2, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto at the crease.
Saif falls early in the chase
Chasing 199, Saif Hassan gave Bangladesh a brisk start with two boundaries. He opened his account by cutting Nathan Smith for four through the slip cordon on the very first ball he faced. After a dot on the second delivery, he played a fine back-foot square drive on the third. However, on the very next ball, he missed a straightening delivery that came back in and was bowled.
He scored 8 off 5 balls. Bangladesh’s score is 12/1 after 2 overs.
Nahid’s five-for floors New Zealand for 198
Under a blazing start to the day in Mirpur, the temperature hovered between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius, but it felt closer to 43. The heat, however, did little to slow down Nahid Rana. In the second ODI of the three-match series, he unleashed a storm of pace to rattle the New Zealand batters, bowling his full quota of 10 overs across three spells. He claimed his second five-wicket haul in ODIs as the visitors were bowled out for 198.
After losing the first match, Monday’s second ODI turned into a must-win contest for Bangladesh. In this crucial game, Rana returned figures of 5 for 32 from 10 overs, including one maiden, while delivering 43 dot balls.
Rana made an immediate impact, striking in his very first over. A 144 kph delivery trapped Henry Nicholls lbw, who had scored a fifty in the previous match. In his next over, he greeted Will Young, who came in at number three, with a sharp bouncer clocked at 146.8 kph. The sudden lift and pace surprised Young, who tried to withdraw his bat at the last moment but only managed to guide the ball to backward point, where Najmul Hossain Shanto completed the catch.
Muhammad Abbas fell to a similar short-ball ploy, mistiming a pull as the ball flew towards fine leg. Litton Das, playing his 100th ODI and becoming the 14th Bangladeshi to reach the milestone, ran in and pulled off a fine diving catch. Dean Foxcroft was Rana’s fourth victim, caught by Towhid Hridoy, before he sealed his five-wicket haul by bowling Jayden Lennox.
Shoriful Islam picked up two wickets, while Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one each. For New Zealand, left-hander Nick Kelly top-scored with 83, eventually falling to Shoriful as Hridoy held onto the catch.
