BAN vs NZ: Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan star as Bangladesh level series with 6-wicket win

Bangladesh made a brilliant comeback in the three-match series against New Zealand, winning the second ODI by six wickets on Monday, April 20 at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. After opting to bat first, New Zealand were bundled out for 198 in 48.4 overs, courtesy of a five-wicket haul from Nahid Rana.

In reply, Bangladesh chased down the target in 35.3 overs, riding on half-centuries from Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto (50 off 71). Earlier in the day, New Zealand were rocked in the powerplay as Nahid Rana trapped Henry Nicholls (13 off 26) in front of the stumps and later found the edge of Will Young’s (2 off 7) bat.

Captain Tom Latham (14 off 35) again departed cheaply as New Zealand were reduced to 52/3 in 17.3 overs. As wickets fell at the other end, Nick Kelly looked composed at the crease and stitched a crucial stand with Muhammad Abbas of 56 runs off 66 balls.

However, following his dismissal in the 40^th over, none of the batters could bide their time in the middle as New Zealand lost the last six wickets for 53 runs in 81 balls. In the second innings, tensions spread in the Bangladesh dressing room as well after Said Hassan (8 off 6) and Soumya Sarkar (8 off 11) departed cheaply, leaving the hosts on 21/2 in four overs.

However, a massive 120-run stand off 110 balls between Tanzid Hasan Tamim (76 off 58) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (50 off 71), brought Bangladesh to the cusp of victory. They eventually got over the line in the 36^th over after a solid stand between Towhid Hridoy (30* off 31) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (8* off 25).

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Nahid Rana was adjudged Player of the Match for his terrific bowling performance that ran through the New Zealand batting line up. He first dismissed Henry Nicholls and Will Young in the powerplay and later returned in the middle overs to break a crucial partnership. He finished with figures of 5/32 in ten overs, registering his second five-wicket haul in ODIs.

Turning Point

After failing to chase down 248 in the first ODI, Bangladesh were once again in a spot of bother, being 21/2. However, a massive 120-run partnership between Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto stabilised the innings and helped them chase down the target. 

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh):

"I think the boys did very well, their job is done. Nahid Rana bowled really well and (also) Shoriful and Taskin. It's not easy to bowl in these conditions, wicket looks very good. (On the batting unit) Two wickets early, Shanto and Tanzid Tamim, the way they batted, they gave a hundred run partnership and it's a great moment for our team. And in the end, Towhid played really well. Now, he (Shanto) is getting better."

Losing Captain, Tom Latham (New Zealand):

 "(Not enough on the board?) No, I think the pressure that Bangladesh were able to apply certainly in those first 10 overs, we never managed to build many partnerships, which obviously makes it hard. And then obviously trying to defend 200, it's important to take early wickets. We took a couple, but credit to the way that they played. They came out and showed a lot of intent and put us on the back foot straightaway. He (Nick Kelly) played fantastically well, someone who hasn't played a lot in these conditions, absorbed a lot of pressure early on, and then obviously managed to put a little bit of pressure back on the Bangladesh side. And as you said, we had a couple of partnerships, maybe 30 or 40, 50 runs, you just never know. Obviously the surface showed a few characteristics to the other night where it did get a little bit slower. So yeah, unfortunately tonight it wasn't meant to be and full credit to Bangladesh. (On the 3rd ODI) Again, a new ground, somewhere we haven't played at for a long time. So it's important that we do adapt to those conditions and we know it's going to be a challenge again and we'll most likely be faced with something similar to what we have here. So again, a series decider. That's why we play cricket as a professional sport, to be in these moments and hopefully we can prepare well over the next couple of days and give a good crack in a few days."