Tigers Roar in Napier, Clinching ODI Series with Dominant Nine-Wicket Win over Black Caps
Napier, New Zealand: Bangladesh unleashed a bowling masterclass in Napier, decimating New Zealand for a measly 98 runs and cruising to a comfortable nine-wicket victory in the third ODI on Saturday, December 23rd. This dominant performance not only secured the win but also sealed the series 2-1, marking a remarkable triumph for the Tigers on Kiwi soil.
The day belonged to the Bangladeshi bowling attack, who tore through the Kiwi batting lineup with searing pace and relentless swing. Shoriful Islam (3-22) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (3-14) were the chief tormentors, bowling with lethal accuracy and exploiting the uneven bounce of the McLean Park pitch. The entire New Zealand innings crumbled in just 31.4 overs, registering their lowest-ever ODI total against Bangladesh.
In reply, Bangladesh faced minimal resistance, chasing down the target in a mere 15 overs. Najmul Hossain Shanto led the charge with an unbeaten 51, while Amanul Haque chipped in with a brisk 37. The Bangladeshi openers made light work of the chase, ensuring the match wrapped up within the first powerplay, adding insult to New Zealand’s already wounded pride.
Match Stats:
- New Zealand: 98 all out (31.4 overs), Will Young 20, Shoriful Islam 3-22, Tanzim Hasan Sakib 3-14
- Bangladesh: 100-1 (15 overs), Najmul Hossain Shanto 51*, Amanul Haque 37
Player of the Match: Shoriful Islam (Bangladesh)
Series MVP: Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
This emphatic victory not only cements Bangladesh’s series win but also serves as a strong statement of their bowling prowess. The Tigers showed remarkable discipline and controlled aggression, dismantling the much-vaunted New Zealand batting lineup. New Zealand, on the other hand, will have to go back to the drawing board and address their inconsistent batting performances if they want to bounce back in the upcoming T20I series.
Highlights:
- Bangladesh bowled New Zealand out for a paltry 98, their lowest-ever ODI score against the Tigers.
- Shoriful Islam and Tanzim Hasan Sakib ripped through the Kiwi batting with three wickets each.
- Bangladesh chased down the target in a mere 15 overs, showcasing their dominant batting performance.
- This win secures Bangladesh’s first-ever ODI series win on New Zealand soil, a historic achievement for the Tigers.
