Najmul Hossain Shanto. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, April 23, 2026 (BSS) - Middle-order batter Najmul Hossain Shanto struck a superb century to guide Bangladesh to a competitive 265-8 in the series-deciding third ODI against New Zealand at Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram today.

Shanto played a composed 105 off 119 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes. He also shared a crucial 160-run fourth-wicket partnership with Liton Das, which helped stabilize Bangladesh's innings after a shaky start.

Liton Das scored 76 off 91 balls, including three fours and one six, registering his first fifty-plus score since October 2023. 

Since his 66 against India in Pune during the 2023 World Cup, Liton had gone through a lean patch of 19 innings without a fifty, including a stretch of nine single-digit scores and four ducks. He, however, returned to form at a vital moment for his side.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss for the third consecutive match in the series and opted to field first.

Pacer Will O'Rourke made an immediate impact, removing both openers inside his first two overs. He dismissed Saif Hasan for a second-ball duck before bowling Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who had scored 76 in the previous match, with a sharp back-of-a-length delivery that disturbed his stumps. 

He later accounted for Soumya Sarkar, who dragged one onto his stumps for 18, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 32-3.

O'Rourke was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, finishing with 3-32.

Shanto, who had broken a fifty-less streak in the previous match with exactly 50 before retiring hurt due to muscle cramps, showed no signs of discomfort this time. He batted fluently under pressure and took charge of the innings from early on.

Liton provided strong support as the pair rebuilt the innings. Shanto reached his fifty off 71 balls with a single off Mohammad Abbas to deep square leg, while Liton brought up his half-century off 70 deliveries.

Left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox eventually broke the stand by dismissing Liton. Shanto continued to anchor the innings and reached his fourth ODI century off 114 balls with a single off the same bowler.

Lennox later removed Shanto, who appeared fatigued after batting for more than three hours in hot conditions.

After his dismissal, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals, but Towhid Hridoy's quick 33 not out helped push the total beyond 250. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz also contributed 22 runs.

For New Zealand, Lennox and Ben Lister, the only change in their XI for the deciding match, took two wickets each.