Tigers seal series win over Kiwis after 12yrs

Bangladesh Cricket team clinched the One Day International (ODI) series 2-1 after defeating New Zealand Cricket team by 55 runs in the third and final ODI at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram on Thursday.

Sent into bat first, the Tigers piled up a satisfactory total of 265 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then all out the Kiwis for 210 off 44.5 overs.

Shanto notched up a terrific 105. His 119-ball innings was belted with nine fours and two sixer. Shanto was adjudged the Player of the Match. Nahid Rana was adjudged the Player of the Series.

Bangladesh had a sorrow start as they lost their three wickets for 32 runs.

Second-down Najmul Hossain Shanto and third-down Litton Das built a remarkable partnership scoring together 160 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Litton Das was bowled out by Jayden Lennox when
Bangladesh’s score was 192 for the loss of four wickets.

Litton Das knocked a superb 76. His 91-ball innings was belted with three fours and a sixer. Litton Das reached his fifty-run land-mark using 71 deliveries with two fours.

After Litton’s departure, Shanto and Towhid Hridoy put on together 29 runs in the five-wicket stand before Shanto was caught by Nathan Smith off Lennox when the hosts’ total was 221 for the loss of five wickets.

After Shanto’s dismissal, Towhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz added together 35 runs for the sixth wicket partnership before Miraz (22) was caught at the deep midwicket by Will Young off Dean Foxcroft when the home side’s total was 258 for the loss of six wickets.

Towhid Hridoy remained unbeaten with 33 runs. His 29-ball innings was laced with two fours and a sixer.

Will O’Rourke grabbed three wickets in lieu of 32 runs, while Jayden Lennox and Ben Lister nagged two wickets each conceding 50 and 62 runs respectively.

Mustafizur Rahman played the key role in demolishing New Zealand innings. He completed his sparkle spell as 9-2-43-5.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nahid Rana claimed two wickets each instead of 36 and 37 runs respectively.

Besides, Shoriful Islam picked up one wicket for 19 runs.

‘Cutter Boy’ Mustafizur Rahman gave the hosts an early breakthrough as opener Henry Nicholls (4) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Litton Das off left-arm pacer when the touring side’s total was just 8.

Opener Nick Kelly and one-down Will Young mended the innings adding together 46 runs for the second wicket partnership before Will Young (19) was caught behind by Litton Das off Nahid Rana when New Zealand’s score was 54 for the loss of two wickets.

Nick Kelly and Mohammad Abbas made a notable partnership putting together 47 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Kelly was caught at the cover by Tanzid Hasan off Mustafizur Rahman when the tourists’ total was 108 for the loss of eight wickets.

Kelly hit a polished 59. His 80-ball innings was studded with six fours and a sixer.

After Kelly’s dismissal, Dean Foxcroft fought back making up a marvelous 75. His 72-ball innings was laced with seven fours.