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Bangladesh have been set a target of 199 runs to level the ODI series against New Zealand after Nahid Rana grabbed a five-wicket haul to restrict the visitors to a modest total in Mirpur.
On Monday, Bangladesh’s bowlers seized control early and never really allowed the Black Caps to settle, striking at regular intervals after the visitors were sent in to bat.
Henry Nicholls was trapped lbw by Rana for 13 after New Zealand reached 25. The paceman struck again two overs later to remove Will Young for 2, leaving the side wobbling at 28 for 2.
Captain Tom Latham tried to rebuild, but Soumya Sarkar dismissed him for 14 after Litton Das completed the catch behind the stumps.
With New Zealand slipping to 52 for 3, Nick Kelly led the resistance. The opener top-scored with 83 off 102 balls, hitting 14 fours, and put on 56 runs with Muhammad Abbas to steady the innings.
Rana broke that stand by removing Abbas for 19, and Bangladesh kept chipping away after that. Kelly’s departure in the 37th over, caught by Towhid Hridoy off Shoriful Islam, left New Zealand on 145 for 5 and ended their best hope of pushing towards a bigger total.
Josh Clarkson made 6 before falling to Rishad Hossain, while Dean Foxcroft was dismissed for 15 as Rana continued to make inroads.
Nathan Smith remained unbeaten on 18, and Blair Tickner added 12, helping New Zealand edge close to 200 before the innings ended in 48.4 overs.
Rana was the standout performer with 5 for 32 from 10 overs, his second five-wicket haul in ODIs. Shoriful took 2 for 32, while Taskin Ahmed, Soumya and Rishad claimed one wicket each.
Bangladesh were also sharp in the field, with Towhid taking three catches as New Zealand’s innings never gained lasting momentum.
After restricting the visitors to a below-par total in Mirpur, Bangladesh now have 199 runs to get to keep the series alive.