Tanvin Tamim
Under a blazing Mirpur sun, where temperatures hovered between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius but felt closer to a punishing 43, Nahid Rana refused to wilt. And in doing so, the 23-year-old fast bowler set up a crushing victory for the hosts at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Rana’s relentless burst of pace laid the foundation for a dominant six-wicket win over New Zealand, with 87 balls to spare, as Bangladesh levelled the three-match One Day International series in emphatic fashion.
Bowling across three demanding spells in searing heat, Nahid completed his full quota and claimed his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, finishing with outstanding figures of 5 for 32, including 43 dot balls, as the Kiwis were bundled out for 198 in 48.4 overs.
That modest target was never going to test Bangladesh for long.
Despite a couple of early hiccups, the Tigers quickly took control of the chase through Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s blistering 76 off 58 balls, an innings laced with 10 fours and four sixes. His aggressive strokeplay wrested
momentum early and powered a 120-run third-wicket stand with Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Shanto anchored the innings with a composed 50 off 71 deliveries before retiring hurt, by which point the result was all but sealed. Towhid Hridoy (30* off 31) and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (8* off 25) then completed the formalities, guiding Bangladesh to 199 for 4 in 35.3 overs with ease.
Earlier, after electing to bat, the Black Caps had been knocked off balance almost immediately - again by Nahid. He struck twice in his opening spell, trapping Henry Nicholls leg before wicket with a sharp inswinger before forcing Will Young to fend a steep bouncer to slip, reducing the visitors to 28 for 2.
Nick Kelly (83 off 102) offered resistance and stitched together useful partnerships, but the tourists never escaped Nahid’s grip.
Each time they attempted to rebuild, the pacer returned to break the stand. His short-pitched barrage accounted for Muhammad Abbas and Dean Foxcroft, both undone by extra bounce, before he completed his five-for by crashing a full delivery through Jayden Lennox’s defence.
Shoriful Islam provided strong support with 2 for 32, while the rest of the attack maintained the squeeze, ensuring New Zealand were bowled out below 200 - a total that always looked well short of a fighting score once Nahid had imposed himself on the contest.
Tanzim added to squad for third ODI
Pace bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib has been added to the otherwise unchanged Bangladesh squad for the decisive third and final ODI against New Zealand in Chattogram, slated for 23 April.
Squad
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Kumar Das, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan Ankon, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

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