Bangladesh’s pace attack tore apart New Zealand's batting on a green Napier pitch to record a historic nine-wicket win in the third and final ODI at the McLean Park on Saturday.
It was Bangladesh's first ODI win over the Black Caps on New Zealand soil, where they had previously lost the 18 fixtures since their first attempt in 1990. Having been well beaten in the first two matches to cede the series, Tigers produced a remarkable form reversal to dismiss the hosts for just 98 in 34.1 overs.
The run chase was a procession, with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto scoring an unbeaten half-century as they coasted to 99-1 in 15.1 overs. By virtue of winning this match, Bangladesh also avoided whitewash in their three–match ODI series.
Bangladesh after winning the toss decided to bowl first and the bowlers justified the captain’s decision with sending off New Zealand’s three top orders Will Young, Rachin Rabindra and Henry Nicolas who played three big innings to make it easy to beat Bangladesh in the previous match.
Shoriful, Tanzid and Soumya Sarkar share three wickets each when Mostafizur Rahman picked up one.
Replying to chasing the easygoing target of 99 runs, Bangladesh reached by 15.1 overs losing just one wicket.
In absence of Taskin Ahmed the pace sensation in the bowling squad, Tanzid Hasan Sakib did an excellent job taking three wickets when his devastating seven overs spells conceded only 14 runs with two maidens.
The new sensation in Bangladesh pace attack Tanzid tipped off about his potential with a bowling figure 7.5-1-32-2 at his debut match against India in the Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka in September when Bangladesh won a six runs thriller.
But Tanzid, who did not play the first match against New Zealand, could not shine in the second match, as in his six overs spells conceded 51 runs without a wicket but on Saturday the young pacer again showed his worth that he is capable enough to play at this level with figuring his seven over spells 7-2-14-3.
Tanzid made the huge early breakthrough with sending off two danger men of previous match Rachin Rabindra and Henry Nicolas in a quick succession, in a span of six runs.
Tanzid made the first breakthrough with taking Rachin Rabindra for eight runs, when the opener quick-fired a 45 off 33 runs in the second ODI. Rachin was squared up with a half pitched ball, when he was trying to play a shot, pushed the ball but it went to keeper kissing the bat with the New Zealand scorecard showing 16 runs.
Tanzid again hit with the second ball of his fourth over and this time it was a big blow for the hosts losing Nicolas cheaply.
Tanzid beat Nicolas with an extra bounce when the batter played a pull shot on a full length delivery but was caught at mid-on by the captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto for one and New Zealand reduced to 22 for two.
Then Shoriful got Will Young out before turned into danger, as he was in the previous match with scoring 89 runs.
Shoruiful, after claiming the wicket of Will Young, ran through the middle order with taking the wickets of the captain Tom Latham and Mark Chapman for 21 and two runs respectively.
Tanzid and Shoriful after claiming three and two wickets respectively to damage the top orders, Soumya Sarkar came in action to take three wickets at the middle.
The experienced all-rounder Soumya, who made a strong comeback with playing a splendid 169 runs innings claimed three wickets with bowling out Josh Clarkson for 16 and Adam Milne for four when Adithya Ashok was caught behind for 10 runs.
Chasing to an easy target, Bangladesh lost only the wicket of Anamul Haque, who scored 37 off 33 balls.
Captain Shanto and Litton Das were unbeaten with 51 and one run respectively. Shanto was also hurry to score 51 runs when he hit eight boundaries in his 42 balls innings.
