After scoring the first fifty of his career and delivering tight spells with the ball, Nasum Ahmed put on a brilliant all-round display — but it still wasn’t enough to guide Bangladesh ‘A’ to victory.
Nick Kelly, New Zealand ‘A’ captain, won the toss for the third consecutive time and stated that although they had already lost the series, his side wanted to finish strong. And they did — but not without a fight from Nasum. The all-rounder played a career-best knock with the bat and bowled smartly, but his effort went in vain as the visitors earned a consolation win.
In the third and final one-dayer held at the second ground of the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh ‘A’ lost by four wickets. Chasing a target of 228, New Zealand ‘A’ reached the target with 10 balls remaining.
Nurul Hasan Sohan’s side had already sealed the three-match series by winning the first two games. However, they failed to complete a clean sweep in the last match.
With a modest total to defend, Bangladesh’s spinners kept the fight alive. Nasum Ahmed, Mosaddek Hossain, and Nayeem Hasan shared six wickets equally, picking up two each. Earlier, Nasum played his best innings yet in List A cricket, scoring 67 runs.
After winning the toss and opting to field, the Kiwi pace attack made immediate impact. Mohammad Naim Sheikh was caught in the slips in the very first over. Two overs later, Anamul Haque was caught behind.
Saif Hassan, playing his first match of the series, got off to a positive start but couldn’t build a longer innings. Trying to go big, he was caught at mid-wicket after scoring 31 off 25 balls with six boundaries.
The middle order collapsed, with Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan, and Mosaddek Hossain all falling cheaply, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 104 for 6.
Yasir Ali Chowdhury, promoted to number four, tried to resist with Nasum at the other end. But he too couldn’t last long and was dismissed just before Bangladesh reached 150. Yasir made a solid 63 off 65 balls, hitting 7 fours and 3 sixes.
After that, Nasum took responsibility, forming a 47-run last-wicket stand with Ebadot Hossain. He reached his maiden List A fifty in 78 balls and followed it up with a six — his only one of the innings.
Before being the last man dismissed, Nasum had scored 67 off 96 balls, including 9 boundaries and 1 six. His brave effort, however, didn’t prove to be enough.
In the run chase, none of New Zealand’s batters crossed 40, but five of them reached scores above 25, which was sufficient for the win.
Openers Rhys Mariu and Dale Phillips gave New Zealand a flying start. At the end of the powerplay, they were already 70 without loss. Nasum broke the partnership in the 12th over, removing Mariu for 33 off 33 balls. Nayeem Hasan then bowled Phillips for 34 off 46.
Nick Kelly and Joe Carter were dismissed soon after. Mohammad Abbas and Curtis Heaphy also fell in quick succession, giving Bangladesh a glimmer of hope thanks to Nayeem and Mosaddek’s breakthroughs.
But any remaining hopes were dashed as Dean Foxcroft and Jack Foulkes stitched together an unbeaten 65-run partnership for the seventh wicket. They calmly saw the chase through — Foxcroft finished unbeaten on 36 and Foulkes on 28.
With the one-day series now over, the two teams will turn their focus to the four-day format. The first match of the red-ball series starts Wednesday at Sylhet’s main ground.
Match Summary
Bangladesh ‘A’ – 227 all out in 47.3 overs
Top scorers
- Nasum Ahmed 67 (96),
- Yasir Ali 63 (65),
- Saif Hassan 31 (25)
Top bowlers (NZ ‘A’)
- Adi Ashok 3/44 (10),
- Jacob Lennox 2/35 (9.3),
- Jack Foulkes 1/34 (9)
New Zealand ‘A’ – 231/6 in 48.2 overs
Top scorers
- Dean Foxcroft 36* (not out),
- Dale Phillips 34,
- Rhys Mariu 33
Top bowlers (BD ‘A’)
- Nasum Ahmed 2/36 (10),
- Nayeem Hasan 2/30 (10),
- Mosaddek Hossain 2/47 (10)
Result: New Zealand ‘A’ won by 4 wickets
Series: Bangladesh ‘A’ win series 2–1
Player of the Match: Dean Foxcroft
