3:20pm Right. That brings us to the end of our coverage. Bangladesh won the battle today, but New Zealand did win the series. They pose with the trophy, although they will not be entirely pleased with what happened today.
Nevertheless, the Kiwis have another ODI home series win in the bag, and that might provide them solace before these teams meet for a three-match T20I series, starting December 27. Do join us for those games too, but until then, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Binoy, Thilak and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Goodbye and take care!
Niaj Imran: "woooooow cant believe my eyes....well done Bangladesh"
Ashiqur : "Superb Bangladesh...Bravo.."
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh captain: Really proud of the way the boys played this match. Before the series, we thought we could win this series. Could not win the first two matches but thankfully we could win today. The bowlers learned a lot. They were bowling in the good areas, did not go looking for wickets. Pleased with how the bowlers bowled today. I did not try to smash (the bowlers), just tried to play my game and focus on my processes. (On the T20I series) This match gives us a lot of confidence but T20 is a different format, we will plan for it accordingly. (On exploring Napier) We are planning to go to some places but we have to keep in mind that we need to play T20s in a few days.
Tom Latham, New Zealand captain: Obviously, it was a very below par performance. Were not able to build any partnerships and could not put pressure back on them. Bangladesh found some good movement and bowled in the right areas, credit to them. Absolutely. We always knew, at the half-way mark, that they would come hard, try to hit us off our lengths. They did that. You look at the whole of the series, and it was good to give some guys experience. Every game you play, you always want to learn. The guys will certainly learn from the challenges.
Will Young is the Player of the Series, let's hear from him: Yeah, it was tough work (today). The sun is finally shining for a cricket game and we put up a display like that, a bit of a shame. There was pace, it was seaming and every now and then, it jumped up, made it tough. (On his batting form in NZ) Nice to get a crack at this format. Ran the drinks in India, which was disappointing for me. Nice to get some performances on the board. Have to make the most of every opportunity when they come, that is what this series was. Managed to score some runs, which was awesome. (On making 1000 ODI runs this calendar year) I did not know what the clap was about, but then Tommy (Latham) told me (smiles).
Tanzim Hasan Sakib is the Player of the Match, here is what he has to say: I am really happy with my performance. How I started - it was good for me. I really enjoyed bowling - it was nipping, it was seaming. It really set the tone for my team. I tried to bowl wicket to wicket and tried to hold my lines and lengths. The wicket did the rest, it really helped me, it was great for the pace bowlers. I told myself to keep my lines and lengths right and thankfully I did.
3:10pm A thoroughly dominant Bangladesh display, and they have, bluntly put, blown New Zealand out of the water today. Their bowlers were brilliant, bundling the hosts out for 98, before the batters clinically finished off the job. There might have been a bit of restlessness when Sarkar went off with an eye injury but Shanto batted as if he owned the place. Anamul was excellent at the other end too, keeping the good balls out and capitalising on whatever scoring opportunities came his way.
Bangladesh will be thoroughly pleased with how today transpired, although they might harbour a feeling of what-if, especially having lost the first two games of this series.
As for New Zealand, well, they simply were not at the races today. They did not have much to defend but their lengths were too short. There was enough movement on offer but they were not able to make the most of it. In the end, Bangladesh did it at a canter, and NZ did not have any answers whatsoever.
Ashok to try his luck. Bangladesh, need just two, though
Skyder: "Watching from New York. Glad that I won't have to stay up too late to see this historic victory!"
END OF OVER:15 | 9 Runs | BAN: 97/1 (2 runs required from 35 overs, RR: 6.46, RRR: 0.05)
- Najmul Hossain Shanto49 (41b)
- Litton Das1 (2b)
- Will O’Rourke4-0-33-1
- Jacob Duffy5-0-27-0
Two balls remaining this over. Can Bangladesh wrap it up?
"All I can say as a kiwi fan is what an amazing performance by Bangladesh. Hats off to them" -- It has been a near-flawless display, Matt
END OF OVER:14 | 4 Runs | BAN: 88/1 (11 runs required from 36 overs, RR: 6.28, RRR: 0.30)
- Litton Das0 (1b)
- Najmul Hossain Shanto41 (36b)
- Jacob Duffy5-0-27-0
- Will O’Rourke3-0-24-1
Litton to face up to a Free hit first ball. Christmas has indeed come early...
Over the wicket to Shanto
END OF OVER:13 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | BAN: 84/1 (15 runs required from 37 overs, RR: 6.46, RRR: 0.40)
- Najmul Hossain Shanto38 (30b)
- Will O’Rourke3-0-24-1
- Jacob Duffy4-0-23-0
Anamul Haque c †Blundell b O'Rourke 37 (61m 33b 7x4 0x6) SR: 112.12
END OF OVER:12 | 6 Runs | BAN: 80/0 (19 runs required from 38 overs, RR: 6.66, RRR: 0.50)
- Anamul Haque35 (30b)
- Najmul Hossain Shanto36 (27b)
- Jacob Duffy4-0-23-0
- Will O’Rourke2-0-20-0
