A composed century from Najmul Hossain Shanto and a devastating five-wicket haul from Mustafizur Rahman handed Bangladesh a 55-run victory over New Zealand in the series-deciding third ODI at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram on Thursday, sealing a 2-1 series triumph.
Sent in to bat on a flat, batting-friendly surface, Bangladesh recovered from a precarious 9 for 2 to post 265 for 8, before their bowlers dismantled New Zealand for 210 in reply, erasing any suggestion that the pitch might favour a successful chase.
Shanto’s 105 off 119 balls, laced with nine fours and two sixes, was the spine of Bangladesh’s innings. He arrived at the crease under pressure, with Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar all falling to William O’Rourke in the early exchanges, and proceeded to rebuild with patience and precision.
His partnership with Litton Das proved to be the turning point. The pair put on a record 160-run fourth-wicket stand against New Zealand, Bangladesh’s highest ever against this opposition. Litton contributed a composed 76 off 91 balls, striking three fours and a six, before being bowled by Jaden Lennox while attempting an expansive stroke.
For Shanto, the hundred was particularly significant. It ended a lean run of 13 innings without a fifty and marked his fourth ODI century, the joint-most by any Bangladesh batter since his maiden hundred on 1 March 2020. The knock came in a must-win match, in punishing heat, and on a day when Bangladesh could ill-afford a top-order failure.
Collecting the Player of the Match award, Shanto reflected on the challenge of walking in at 9 for 2. “They started brilliantly, bowled brilliant areas, but I always try to stay in the present and not look at what happened. I executed my plans and played in the present.”
He was equally generous about his partnership with Litton. “The way Litton played today was really outstanding. He held one side and I tried to score some runs. It wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on. We just tried to make a big partnership.”
The lower order, however, could not capitalise fully. Bangladesh managed only 61 runs in the final ten overs, a limitation that kept the total within reach — at least on paper.
New Zealand’s reply never found its footing. Mustafizur Rahman was the chief architect of the collapse, claiming his sixth five-wicket haul in ODI cricket with figures of 5 for 43, and in doing so, becoming the first fast bowler to take a five-for at any Chattogram venue.
Bowling with his trademark cutters and slower deliveries, he removed Nick Kelly, Nathan Smith and William O’Rourke to dismantle the visitors’ backbone and leave them reeling at 137 for 6. The final wicket was a moment of pure theatre. With the tail exposed, Dean Foxcroft appeared reluctant to hand the strike to O’Rourke, doing his best to shield his partner from Mustafizur. In the end, he could not. Mustafizur needed just one delivery — a sharp, straight ball that O’Rourke failed to get his bat in line with, the stumps shattered before he could react. It was the perfect full stop to a match-winning spell.
Nahid Rana and Shariful Islam provided able support throughout, keeping the pressure relentless from both ends.
A late counterattack from Dean Foxcroft, who struck 76 off 72 balls including seven sixes, briefly threatened to embarrass Bangladesh’s total and reduce the margin. But it amounted to little more than a consolation effort, as New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 210.
Nahid Rana was named Player of the Series for his eight-wicket haul across the three matches, a reward for a consistent and penetrative series with the new ball. Characteristically understated in his acceptance, Rana kept his focus firmly on the team. “I was only thinking today that my captain has asked me to take wickets. I enjoy performing for my team.”
Asked how he approaches situations where the opposition have built a firm partnership, he was equally measured. “Not much different. I only assess the conditions and then bowl accordingly.”
It was a fitting summary of a bowler who rarely does anything flashy, but almost always does exactly what is needed.
The victory sealed Bangladesh’s third consecutive home ODI series win, following triumphs over West Indies in October 2025 and a 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan in March 2026. It was also only their third series win over New Zealand, with the previous coming back in 2013.
