Bangladesh Vs New Zealand Highlights, 3rd ODI: Shanto Century, Mustafizur Five-Fer Seal Series For Hosts

Good Morning to everyone joining us for the Bangladesh Vs New Zealand 3rd ODI. This is the start of our live blog, so stay tuned for all the real-time updates, scores and more.

New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das (WK), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (C), Tanvir Islam, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana

New Zealand: Henry Nicholls, Nick Kelly, Will Young, Tom Latham(WK/C), Muhammad Abbas, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Jayden Lennox, William ORourke, Ben Lister

Action underway in Chattogram between BAN and NZ with the series on the line.

Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim walk back to the pavilion. William O'Rourke with the breakthrough with two vital wickets in the first three overs of the match. BAN under-pressure.

BAN: 13/2 (5 Overs)

Bangladesh have had a knack of losing wickets early on in the PP and seems that has continued today. Will O'rourke with two quick wickets and has put the hosts on the backfoot right from the start.

BAN: 28/2 (8 Overs)

Will O'Rourke has struck again to dent hosts' early charge in Chattogram. Three wickets in the PP for the lanky New Zealand pacer. This has been a brilliant piece of bowling from the visitors, who earlier won the toss and opted to bowl.

BAN: 36/3 (10 Overs)

After the early dismissals, Bangladesh are in need of a strong partnership that could steady their innings and keep them in the game. Will O'rourke had rocked them early on but Litton Das and Najmul Shanto are vital for BAN and their hopes of securing a big target.

BAN: 57/3 (14 Overs)

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das have forged a partnership for the fourth wicket as the two stars look to bail their side out of trouble. Bangladesh are still not out of sight but these two are vital for them, if they are to achieve a 200-plus score.

BAN: 68/3 (17 Overs)

Bangladesh will hope their senior batters, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das remain at the crease till the end. Kiwis have been unable to extract the same amount of seam that they found earlier in the day.

BAN: 86/3 (21 Overs)

After the early dismal start, BAN have steadied ship, mostly thanks to Shanto and Das. NZ have been unable to amp up the pressure on the senior batters at the crease, as they look to dry out the boundaries. The hosts have crossed 100-run mark.

BAN: 104/3 (25 Overs)

30 overs mark reached and BAN batters have reached 135. Shanto and Das will now look to change gears and get towards a big total. NZ bowlers have been unable to find a wicket and seems like their lack of experience on these wickets, has come to the fore.

BAN: 135/3 (30 Overs)

Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto's partnership has reached to 135 runs and the duo are batting with a strong intent as Bangladesh eye 250+ on this pitch.

NZ finally have a breakthrough as spinner Jayden Lennox has removed Litton Das for 76. The captain was batting well when he was bowled right through his defence. Big scalp for the visitors and an end of a fine innings for Das.

BAN: 204/4 (40 Overs)

Najmul Hossain Shanto had to walk back after scoring a brilliant 105 as Jayden Lennox scalped his second wicket of the day. NZ bowler has now sent the two in-form batters back to the pavillion.

BAN: 225/5 (44 Overs)

A decent total on the board but a flurry of wickets in the end derailed the hosts' progress. Bangladesh could have got to 300-plus had it not for the NZ bowlers, who curtailed the end of the innings. Shanto with the brilliant century led from the front with Litton Das contributing.

Nicholls and Nick Kelly walk out to the middle, with Nicholls on strike. Shoriful Islam takes the new ball, slip and gully in place, attacking field right from the start. Here we go!

Mustafizur Rahman delivers a massive over, striking early to remove Nicholls with a sharp short ball that forces a top edge to the keeper. From there, it’s complete control, tight lines, no room for scoring, and Will Young kept quiet on arrival. A wicket-maiden that puts New Zealand under early pressure in the chase.

A quiet, controlled over as Bangladesh keep things tight. Just a few singles and a couple worked into the gaps, but no real scoring opportunities on offer. Will Young and Nick Kelly continue to rebuild steadily, focusing on rotating strike rather than taking risks.

Nahid Rana provides the breakthrough Bangladesh needed, removing Will Young with a sharp delivery that finds the edge. Apart from the wicket, it’s another controlled over, just a couple of runs through placement and a leg bye. Tom Latham gets going cautiously, while Nick Kelly continues to hold one end. Bangladesh keep things tight with disciplined bowling and timely strike.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivers a crucial breakthrough, removing Tom Latham with a well-flighted delivery that induces a top edge on the sweep. Bangladesh tighten their grip with an extremely economical over, conceding just two runs.

A steady over with Bangladesh keeping things tight, but the big moment belongs to Nick Kelly, he brings up a well-compiled half-century with a controlled pull shot.

Mustafizur Rahman delivers a massive over, removing the well-set Nick Kelly with a clever slower ball to break the backbone of the chase. From there, it’s complete control, dot balls pile up as Dean Foxcroft struggles to get going against the variations.

Shoriful Islam delivers a crucial breakthrough, cleaning up Muhammad Abbas with a skiddy delivery that sneaks through onto the stumps. The pressure had been building with dot balls, and the wicket finally arrives. Apart from that, it’s a very tight over with hardly any scoring opportunities. Josh Clarkson is beaten first ball, and New Zealand slip further behind as Bangladesh tighten control in the chase

Nahid Rana strikes again with raw pace, cleaning up Josh Clarkson with a full delivery that sneaks through the inside edge. The over had a few singles and a couple worked around, but the wicket tilts things further in Bangladesh’s favour. Dean Foxcroft continues to struggle for fluency, and New Zealand are losing wickets at crucial intervals, making the chase increasingly difficult.

Mustafizur Rahman produces a brilliant wicket-maiden, removing Jayden Lennox to claim his fourth wicket of the innings. His variations and control completely shut down scoring, with dot balls throughout the over. William O’Rourke is kept quiet on arrival, while Dean Foxcroft watches from the other end.

Mustafizur Rahman caps off a brilliant spell with a five-wicket haul, cleaning up William O’Rourke with a full and straight delivery. His accuracy and variations have been spot on throughout, dismantling the lower order. Just a single from the over, with Ben Lister struggling to get going. Bangladesh firmly in control as New Zealand are one wicket away from being bowled out.

That’s the final blow! Mehidy Hasan Miraz wraps it up as Dean Foxcroft holes out trying to pull, finding Saif Hassan at long-on who completes a sharp diving catch. Foxcroft played a fighting knock, but it’s not enough. Bangladesh seal the match and clinch the ODI series 2-1 in style.

Bangladesh seal a convincing series-clinching win, powered by a crucial 160-run stand between Shanto and Litton after early setbacks. Shanto’s composed century proved decisive, setting up a challenging total. In reply, New Zealand struggled on a two-paced surface despite contributions from Kelly and a late surge by Foxcroft. Bangladesh’s bowlers dominated, with Mustafizur Rahman starring with a five-wicket haul, well supported by Nahid Rana. Regular breakthroughs kept the pressure on, and although Foxcroft fought till the end, Bangladesh wrapped it up comfortably.

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