Chattogram: Najmul Hossain Shando’s anchor century and Mustafizur Rahman’s 5 wickets helped Bangladesh to a resounding 55-run win in the third and final ODI against New Zealand.
With a fourth-wicket partnership between Shando and the experienced Liton Das, New Zealand captain Tom Latham decided to bat first.
Bangladesh got off to a mixed start to their innings, with Will O’Rourke skimming through their top order to be reduced to 32/3 in 8.3 overs.
After stumbling early on, Das joined Shando in the middle and the duo turned the game around with a 160-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Das hit a 91-ball 76 with the help of three fours and a six from Jayden Lennox, who broke the century-plus stand on the first delivery of the 39th over.
Sandhu, meanwhile, later put on a brief 29-run partnership with Dawhid Hridoi which saw him bring up his fourth ODI century, but fell short to Lennox after amassing the milestone.
He scored 105 runs off 119 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes and remained Bangladesh’s highest scorer, earning him the Man of the Match award.
After his exit, Hridoi took control of Bangladesh’s batting duties, scoring 33 runs off 29 balls with 2 fours and a six to ensure a thrilling finish. He shared a 35-run partnership with captain Mehdi Hasan Miraz, who scored 22 runs.
O’Rourke was New Zealand’s best bowler with 3 for 32 in his seven overs, followed by Lennox and Ben Lister with two each, while Dean Foxcroft could claim a wicket.
Despite half-centuries from Nick Kelly and Foxcroft, the tourists piled up 210 runs in 44.5 overs to chase down a tough target of 266 runs.
Foxcroft top-scored for the Blackcaps with 75 off 72 balls, while Kelly scored 59 off 80 balls.
Apart from them, only Muhammad Abbas (25) and Will Young (19) managed to score double figures against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Rahman who took 5 for 43 from his nine overs.
His brilliance was supported by Nahid Rana and skipper Miraz who grabbed 2 each and Shoriful Islam one.