Bangladesh Level Series with Six-Wicket Win

Bangladesh levelled the three-match One Day International series at 1–1 after securing a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second match, with the result setting up a decisive final encounter in Chattogram on 23 April.

New Zealand, batting first, were restricted to 198 all out in 48.4 overs. Their innings was anchored by Nicholas Kelly, who scored 83 runs off 102 deliveries, including 14 boundaries. Muhammad Abbas contributed 19 runs, and together they added the highest partnership of the innings—56 runs for the fourth wicket. No other New Zealand batter managed to reach 20 runs, as Bangladesh’s pace attack maintained consistent pressure throughout.

The standout performer with the ball was Nahid Rana, who claimed five wickets for 32 runs in a second five-wicket haul in One Day Internationals. His wickets were all taken at high pace, consistently exceeding 141 km/h, with recorded deliveries including speeds of 144.7, 146.8, 146.1, 144.1 and 141.6 km/h. He removed Henry Nicholls early via lbw and later dismissed Will Young through a catch at backward point, taken by Soumya Sarkar.

Support came from the rest of the Bangladesh bowling unit. Shoriful Islam took 2 for 32 in 10 overs, including the important wicket of Kelly. Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, and Soumya Sarkar each claimed one wicket. The bowling effort was complemented by disciplined fielding, including a notable diving catch by Towhid Hridoy at long-on.

In response, Bangladesh reached 199 for 4 in 35.3 overs. The chase was led by Tanzid Hasan, who scored 76 runs off 58 balls with 10 fours and four sixes. He shared a decisive third-wicket partnership of 120 runs with Najmul Hossain Shanto, which effectively shaped the outcome of the match.

Shanto contributed 50 runs, reaching his half-century in 29 overs before retiring hurt due to a muscle strain. He did not return to the crease after leaving the field. Litton Das, playing his 100th ODI, was dismissed for 7 runs. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy then guided the innings to completion with an unbroken stand, ensuring victory with 87 balls remaining.

The match was played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, where conditions differed from the previous game. While pace and occasional uneven bounce remained factors, batting conditions were comparatively more favourable than in the first ODI. Bangladesh’s innings demonstrated that run-scoring was possible when batters applied themselves.

Match Summary

Bangladesh’s bowling performance, led by Rana, proved decisive in restricting New Zealand below 200. The result ensured the series is evenly poised at 1–1 ahead of the final ODI.