Tigers make it 3-0

Bangladesh knocked off a target of over 300 runs to romp to a four-wicket win in the third one-day international, inflicting a 3-0 defeat on New Zealand in the three-match series at Fatullah on Sunday.
The clean sweep victory, which came against the backdrop of a 4-0 win in the previous series between the sides, reconfirmed Bangladesh’s status as a force in one-day cricket to be reckoned with.
The Tigers had had few successes in one-day cricket over the past years, but barring an exception against Zimbabwe in 2009, they were always on the losing side whenever the opponents had posted something beyond 300 runs.
In an era when 300 is hardly a safe score, Bangladesh needed something like this to show that they are not lagging behind by any standard and can overhaul a target past this mark with as much ease as the others do.
Amazingly for the Tigers, they did it mostly relying on a rookie cricketer, who was playing only his second one-day international.
Shamsur Rahman Shuvo showed an immense maturity to lead Bangladesh’s chase as they cruised past New Zealand’s 307-5 to reach 309 runs with four wickets and four balls in hand.
Shamsur missed out on what would have been a very well-deserved maiden century, falling just four runs short, but on a day when Bangladesh’s success touched a new height he had little time to regret having not reached the milestone.
The opener, who took just 107 balls for his 96, said at the post-match press conference that he was not too much concerned about his personal achievement and only tried to contribute for the team as much as possible.
This is one major reason for him not to waste too many balls in his 90s, which could have easily added some pressure on the asking run rate. He rather went after his shots and paid the price, edging a catch behind the stumps when trying to drive a rising Corey Anderson delivery.
Naeem Islam took the helm from Shamsur to
lead the batting charge and was rewarded with a half-century, his second fifty in a series which could have easily ended with him only carrying the towels if Sakib al Hasan had been fit.
The speciality of Naeem’s innings was that he always maintained a decent strike rate, something which he cannot do too often. This helped the Tigers to stay always in hunt without giving New Zealand bowlers even a slightest chance to stamp any kind of authority.
Naeem’s suicidal run-out for 63 off 74 balls was not felt as Nasir Hossain chose this game to show his class, making the win look very easy with his unbeaten 44.
With Nasir at the crease Bangladesh’s victory was never put in doubt after they entered the last 10 overs with just 68 runs needed and six wickets in hand. Sohag Gazi’s intention of making a name of his own by keeping Nasir mostly off strike in the last two overs only delayed the win.
Bangladesh’s win would have been easier had the bowlers not allowed New Zealand to score 73 runs in the last five overs of their innings.
Ross Taylor was the main beneficiary of Bangladesh’s uncontrolled bowling at the death, reaching his eighth one-day century to stay 107 not out.
Taylor also has Rubel Hossain to thank for his innings as the bowler dropped him on 12 off his own bowling.
A subdued Taylor, who put on 130 with Colin Munro (85) for the fourth wicket, reached his fifty off 69 balls but accelerated later to add 57 runs from 24 balls afterwards.