Monday, 20th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 20th April 2026, 1:40 PM
Bangladesh secured a commanding six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second One Day International at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur. Driven by a career-best bowling performance from Nahid Rana and a blistering half-century from Tanjid Hasan, the hosts successfully chased down a modest target of 199 to level the three-match series at 1-1. The final encounter is scheduled for 23 April in Chittagong.
After New Zealand elected to bat, they were immediately met with the raw pace of Nahid Rana. Bowling consistently above 140 km/h, Rana dismantled the top order, claiming five wickets for 32 runs. His victims were undone by a combination of bounce and velocity; notably, his five primary wickets were clocked at speeds of 144.7, 146.8, 146.1, 144.1, and 141.6 km/h.
Apart from opening batsman Nick Kelly, who scored a resilient 83 off 102 balls (including 14 boundaries), the visitors struggled to build partnerships. The second-highest score was a mere 19 from Muhammad Abbas. The New Zealand innings concluded at 198 in the 49th over.
| Player | Performance | Notable Statistic |
| Nahid Rana | 5 wickets for 32 runs | All 5 wickets taken at 141+ km/h |
| Shoriful Islam | 2 wickets for 32 runs | Dismissed top-scorer Nick Kelly |
| Nick Kelly | 83 runs (102 balls) | Only Kiwi to cross the 20-run mark |
| Tanjid Hasan | 76 runs (58 balls) | 10 fours and 4 sixes |
| Najmul Hossain | 50* runs (retired hurt) | First half-century in 13 innings |
Bangladesh’s pursuit began precariously, losing Saif Hassan and the returning Soumya Sarkar with only 21 runs on the board. However, a 120-run partnership for the third wicket between Tanjid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto shifted the momentum. Tanjid played an aggressive innings of 76 before being caught at long-on off the bowling of Jayden Lennox.
In his 100th ODI, Litton Das fell cheaply for 7 runs, but Najmul continued his steady return to form. After reaching his 11th ODI fifty, Najmul was forced to leave the field due to muscle cramps. Captain Mehdi Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy completed the task with 87 balls to spare.
The pitch at Mirpur showed significant improvement from the first ODI, offering more consistency for batsmen despite occasional uneven bounce. The match was played under intense heat, causing delays as pace bowlers required extended recovery times and additional drinks breaks. Bangladesh’s fielding was notably sharp, highlighted by a diving catch from Hridoy to dismiss William O’Rourke, sealing a comprehensive team performance.
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