Published: 10:09 AM, 23 April 2026
Confident Bangladesh eye ODI series win against New Zealand
Bangladesh senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin giving tips to ODI skipper MehidyHasan during practice session at BirShreshthaMatiurRahman Stadium in Chattogram on Wednesday. -BCB
With the series hanging in the balance, Bangladesh is eyeing to secure it over visitors New Zealand when the teams lock horns in the third and final ODI on Thursday at BirShreshthaMatiurRahman Stadium in Chattogram.
After losing the first ODI following a shocking batting collapse, MehidyHasanMiraz-led team levelled the series 1-1 by clinching a dominating six-wicket win in the second game in Dhaka.
Speed star NahidRana was the hero with the ball claiming a 5-32 as Bangladesh stayed alive in three-match series against New Zealand at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Nahid's fiery bowling helped Bangladesh bowl New Zealand out for just 198 in 48.4 overs, a total the hosts chased down effortlessly by reaching 199-4 with 87 balls remaining.
Ahead of the match, speaking at BirShreshthaMatiurRahman Stadium in Chattogram on Wednesday, Bangladesh pace bowling coach Shaun Taitsaid, "In modern cricket, especially in T20s, there is a tendency among fast bowlers to develop all sorts of variations. But from speaking with Nahid, I feel he is an intelligent young man. At this moment, rather than overcomplicating things, I think what is best is for him to keep doing what he is doing and stick to what is working for him."
"He has slower balls in his armoury, but if there is no need for them, there is no reason to use them. Other bowlers often have to rely on changes of pace, but Nahid is different-he has a destructive bouncer. Many bowlers operating at 130 kilometres per hour do not have that kind of bouncer, so without slower balls they have fewer wicket-taking options."Tait added.
"But in NahidRana's case, it is the opposite. At present he is taking plenty of wickets with his pace and bounce, especially through the short ball. He is a smart young man and, over time, he will learn more new things. But right now I want him to keep things simple and just keep bowling fast," He said.
Opener TanzidHasanTamim hammered a fluent 58 ball-76 while NajmulHossainShanto made 50 before retiring hurt, ensuring Bangladesh eased past the target despite testing condition and extreme heat in the second game.
New Zealand began cautiously on a sluggish pitch where the ball frequently kept low, making stroke-play extremely difficult.
Nahid made the early breakthrough, clocking 144.7 kph to dismiss Henry Nicholls. He struck again in his next over to remove Will Young, before Latham edged one behind to wicketkeeper Liton Das, giving SoumyaSarkar his only wicket after returning to the side in place of AfifHossain.
Despite Kelly's resistance, Nahid continued to rip through the middle order with pace and aggression.
Nahid completed his second ODI five-wicket haul by clean bowling Jayden Lennox for a duck.
He nearly had a sixth when Will O'Rourke survived a review, but Taskin Ahmed later dismissed him to wrap up the innings.
"What I liked most from Nahid in the last match was the yorker," he said. "It took me back to the days of WaqarYounis. A fast bowler comes in, takes top-order wickets, then cleans up the tail as well. Personally, I like that."Tait said.
