Shanto, Litton Partnership Lifts Bangladesh to Fighting Score

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Bangladesh has set New Zealand a target of 266 runs to win the deciding One Day International series, posting 265 for 8 in their 50 overs after an early batting collapse.

The formidable recovery was spearheaded by a crucial 160-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das. Shanto went on to score a century, while Das contributed a responsible 76 runs, guiding the hosts back from an precarious position.

The partnership between Shanto and Das provided stability after Bangladesh lost their first three wickets within the powerplay. Das, who had been batting aggressively and approaching his own century, was eventually bowled by spinner Will O’Rourke for 76.

This century marked Shanto’s fourth in ODI cricket and his second in Chittagong, having previously scored a hundred against Sri Lanka in 2024. He had also scored a fifty in the previous match of the series.

For Das, the innings was his 13th ODI half-century and his first in 19 innings, signalling a return to form.

Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz added a quickfire 22 runs from 18 balls, while Towhid Hridoy remained unbeaten on 33 from 29 deliveries, bolstering the total in the latter stages of the innings.