Mustafizur Rahman’s five-for and Nahid Rana’s fiery spells power Bangladesh to a 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand

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Bangladesh’s resurgence in the ODI series against New Zealand was defined by one key factor — pace. Led by the brilliance of Mustafizur Rahman and the emergence of Nahid Rana, the hosts turned the tide after an opening defeat to seal a memorable 2-1 series victory.

Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz credited the fast-bowling unit for changing the momentum, highlighting how their aggression and consistency dismantled New Zealand’s batting line-up across the three matches.

After losing the first ODI by 26 runs, Bangladesh bounced back strongly in the second game, where Rana’s stunning 5 for 32 helped bowl out New Zealand for just 198. The decider in Chattogram saw Mustafizur deliver a match-winning performance, picking up 5 for 43 to defend a competitive total of 265 on a batting-friendly surface.

The pace trio, including Shoriful Islam, played a crucial role throughout the series. Shoriful impressed despite being a last-minute inclusion, while Taskin Ahmed contributed effectively, especially in the death overs. Together, Bangladesh’s fast bowlers claimed 22 wickets — the highest by the team’s pacers in a bilateral ODI series, surpassing their previous record against India in 2015.

Mustafizur’s impact was particularly remarkable, considering he had just recovered from a knee injury before the final match. His ability to deliver under pressure once again proved why he remains Bangladesh’s go-to bowler in crunch situations.

Meanwhile, Rana has quickly become a key asset for the team. Clocking speeds consistently above 145 kph, the young pacer has added a new dimension to Bangladesh’s attack. His ability to maintain pace throughout his spells has put opposition batters under constant pressure, making him one of the most exciting prospects in recent times.

Shoriful’s comeback story also stood out. Drafted into the playing XI at the last moment after Mustafizur’s injury scare in the first ODI, he adapted quickly and delivered consistent performances across all three games — a testament to his resilience and match readiness.

Despite the growing dominance of the pace unit, Mehidy emphasized that Bangladesh’s team management is yet to fully embrace fast bowling as their primary strength, especially in home conditions. However, performances like these continue to strengthen the case for pace-friendly pitches in Bangladesh.

With a well-rounded and in-form fast-bowling attack, Bangladesh has shown that it can compete and win against top teams in any condition. As Mehidy pointed out, when a team possesses a strong pace unit, “the momentum changes” — and for Bangladesh, that shift is becoming a defining feature of their success.