In the third and final One-Day International (ODI) at McLean Park on Saturday, December 23, Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by nine wickets, avoiding a series rout.
On a green top wicket at Napier, Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and made the bold decision to bowl first. Right from the start, the Banglapacers were precise. Tanzim Hasan Sakib took full advantage of the favorable circumstances by pressing the Kiwi openers with a number of pointed questions. Rachin Ravindra was the first to be removed from the game when he gave wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim an edge over Sakib.
A few overs later, Henry Nicholls also went out, with captain Tom Latham joining Will Young in the middle. As the Bangladeshi pacers got the ball to swing and seam with pace and bounce in tow, the pair attempted to salvage the innings in difficult circumstances. Shoriful Islam broke a stand of 36 runs. The subsequent New Zealand hitters were completely overwhelmed by the excellent bowling that was being offered as a result of this dismissal.
The host team was bowled out for 98 in just 31.4 overs as wickets dropped quickly one after the other. In addition to Mustafizur Rahman’s one wicket, Shoriful, Sakib, and Soumya Sarkar each claimed three wickets.
Sarkar did not appear comfortable chasing such a small total, despite making a magnificent century in the second ODI. Then he left the field, complaining of some right eye irritation. After an exhilarating partnership of 69 runs off just 50 balls, Anamul Haque and Shanto drove the tourists to the verge of defeat. After the former was out for 37, Shanto (51* off 42 balls) and Litton Das led Bangladesh to their first-ever ODI victory over New Zealand in New Zealand.
The hosts emerged victorious in the series, 2-1. Young was given the Player of the Series trophy, while Sakib was named the Player of the Match.
Here’s how ‘X’ users responded to Bangladesh’s historic victory:
Historic win for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh beat New Zealand for the 1st time in New Zealand in ODI Cricket. #NZvBAN #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/bpHCJ2eHrV
— Waqar Younas (@waqar_younas158) December 23, 2023
Dinesh Karthik said, “the world speaks highly of Sanju Samson, he has the amount of supporters that biggest players have, the love and affection of a lot of people. And he showed that day why he has that”. (Cricbuzz). pic.twitter.com/6hwfKmpn8D
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 23, 2023
First ever ODI victory vs New Zealand in New Zealand.
Congratulations @BCBtigers
Well done #Bangladesh#NZvBAN #Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/2PR9CjeHo8— Saad Mir (@Saadmir1991) December 23, 2023
First Ever Win For Bangladesh Against New Zealand IN ODI In NZ#NZvBAN #cricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/HB6vV4Bpc0
— Zeeshan Nadeem (@Shani_7800) December 23, 2023
Historic win for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh beat New Zealand for the 1st time in New Zealand in ODI Cricket. #NZvBAN #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/MJ95Nkafpn
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) December 23, 2023
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