NZ vs BAN: Would have been happier had Bangladesh won series, says Najmul Hossain Shanto after consolation win

Najmul Hossain Shanto said that Bangladesh would have been happier had they won their ODI series against New Zealand. On Friday, Saturday 23, the Tigers defeated the Black Caps by nine wickets at McLean Park in Napier.

It was also Bangladesh’s maiden ODI win in New Zealand after 18 defeats on the trot since 2007. Shanto said that he was proud of the way the team played in the second ODI.

“If you think about the history certainly we have performed in a manner that we can be proud of as we could win one game. But personally speaking, we came here to win the series,” Shanto was quoted as saying.

“In the opening game we were unlucky that we ran short of bowling options due to rain. Certainly happy that we could win the (third) game but would have been happier if we could win the series,” he stated.

After opting to field first, Bangladesh bowled the Kiwis out for 98 in 31.4 overs. The pace trio of Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Soumya Sarkar picked up three wickets apiece.

Later, Anamul Haque Bijoy and skipper Shanto scored 37 and 51 not out respectively to make sure that the Tigers chased down the target with 209 balls to spare.

“We have not thought anything like that (bowling them under 100 runs) and we just tried to keep our process right in this series. We bowled well for a long period of time and the wickets were falling automatically.

“We did not come here with the hope that we would bowl them out for 98 or 100 runs. The only focus was how long we can bowl well and I am proud of the way we make a comeback after losing two games,” Shanto added.

After losing the ODI series 1-2, the Tigers are set to face New Zealand in a three-match T20I series from Wednesday, December 27 onwards.