Paramount Series Victory for Bangladesh
The series has also been confirmed with a 55-run win. Photo: Collected
Dean Foxcroft was busy counting sixes, striking seven of them toward the end of the innings. Even Mustafizur’s trademark slowers seemed ineffective.
For a moment, a sense of impending defeat was visible on Mehidy Hasan Miraz's face. Taking matters into his own hands, Miraz came on to bowl, forcing Foxcroft to play forward and commit a mistake. As the batter was dismissed for 75 off 72 balls, Bangladesh secured a dominant 55-run victory.
In this final match of the series against New Zealand in Chattogram, Najmul Hossain Shanto shined with the bat, while the returning Mustafizur Rahman dismantled the Kiwis with a five-wicket haul. Their combined efforts ensured New Zealand stood no chance, securing a 2-1 series win for the hosts.
Under the leadership of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh has now won three consecutive ODI series. Miraz becomes the fifth Bangladeshi captain to achieve this feat, joining the ranks of Habibul Bashar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, and Tamim Iqbal.
Chasing Bangladesh's target of 266, New Zealand was bowled out for 210. This 2-1 series victory also guarantees Bangladesh’s rise from ninth to seventh in the ICC rankings. This is a crucial move, as staying within the top eight is mandatory for direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
While the initial goal was a whitewash—especially since the visitors arrived with a second-string squad—those hopes were dented by a loss in the first match. However, Miraz’s team showed resilience by bouncing back to win the next two games.
Bangladesh last pulled off a comeback like this against the West Indies last year, winning the series after losing the opener. This triumph over the Kiwis ends a long drought; Bangladesh last defeated New Zealand in an ODI series back in 2013, followed by five winless series.
Their only recent highlight was a historic first-ever ODI win on New Zealand soil in 2023, though they ultimately lost that series 2-1. By winning this series with the same margin at home, Bangladesh has exacted a satisfying revenge.
