Kiwis win third ODI after Sabbir's ton

Sabbir Rahman's 102 ensured that Bangladesh reduced the margin of defeat but New Zealand were still able to sweep the series following a 88-run victory in the third ODI at Dunedin. 

Sabbir played a lone hand as the Tigers top-order once again fell to fire. Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar fell in the first over bowled by Tim Southee and he was the hero of the match for the Kiwis, bagging six wickets for 65 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim, battling through a broken rib had tried to build up a partnership with Mahmudullah Riyad after Southee picked up Liton Das's wicket. However, Trent Boult had other ideas as he scalped Mushfiqur Rahim before Mahmudullah fell in the 15th over.

Sabbir and Mohammad Saifuddin put on 101-run partnership for the sixth wicket after Tigers were tottering at 61 for five. Saifuddin fell after hitting 44 but Sabbir kept going -- as he put on a 67-run partnership with Mehedi Miraz -- to score his first career hundred in ODIs. The ton still came in a lost cause as New Zealand won by 88 runs as Bangladesh were bowled out for 242 with Sabbir the last wicket to fall after an 110-ball 102.

Earlier, Bangladesh were on the receiving end of a shellacking, especially late in New Zealand's innings, as the hosts stormed to a total of 330 for six in the third ODI at the University Oval in Dunedin. Mustafizur Rahman had a bad day at the office as he conceeded 93 runs in his 10 overs, while picking up two wickets.

New Zealand rode on a trio of half-centuries from Henry Nicholls (64), Ross Taylor (69) -- who surpassed Stephen Fleming as New Zealand's highest ever run-scorer when he crossed 51 -- and Tom Latham (59) as they piled on the runs after losing the toss on one of the best batting wickets in the country.

New Zealand 330 for 6 (Taylor 69, Nicholls 64) beat Bangladesh242 all out (Sabbir 102, Southee 6-65) by 88 runs

Sabbir strikes first-ever ODI ton

Sabbir Rahman hit his first-ever ODI ton as Tigers' innings earned some respectability after they slumped to 61 for five inside 15 overs. He had not struck a fifty in his last 16 ODI innings. Having struck 43 in the second ODI, Sabbir gained in confidence. He was dropped on naught by Lockie Ferguson at fine leg. He suffered a blow to the helmet and then was hit by the paceman again on the rib while in the 90s. He carried through the pain to hit his first career hundred off 105 deliveries. He struck 12 fours and two sixes during his knock.

Following his ton, Mehedi Miraz fell trying to slam the ball over cover as Tigers lost their eighth wicket. Bangladesh 237/8 after 46 overs.

45.6 -Mehedi Hasan Miraz c Guptill b Southee 37 (34b 7x4 0x6) SR: 108.82

Saifuddin and Mashrafe fall in quick succession

35.4 - Ban 170/7 - Mashrafe Mortaza c Boult b Southee 2 (8m 3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66

34.1 - Mohammad Saifuddin c Guptill b Boult 44 (79m 63b 4x4 0x6) SR: 69.84

Trent Boult returned to the attack to remove Mohammad Saifuddin to break the 101-run sixth-wicket partnership. A short delivery and Saifuddin was unable to get it away, trying the pull shot as he was holed out at mid-wicket.

Sabbir is still going strong batting as captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza joined him at the crease. The skipper did not last long as he fell in the next over, trying to whack the ball but managing a thick outside edge to deep fine leg. Sabbir is batting on 73.

Sabbir strikes 50

Sabbir Rahman has notched a fifty as Tigers recovered from a terrible start in their chase of a mammoth total set by New Zealand. Sabbir laced his innings with seven fours and a six, having been dropped on naught by Lockie Ferguson at deep fine leg. He along with Mohammad Saifuddin have put on a 75-run partnership. Saifuddin is batting on 34 off 51 deliveries. 

End of 31 overs, Ban 136/5

Sabbir Rahman 53 (64b)

Mohammad Saifuddin 34 (51b)

LH Ferguson 5-0-22-0

MJ Santner 5-2-15-0

Tigers left reeling as Sabbir, Saifuddin eye recovery

Following the loss of Mahmudullah Riyad, Sabbir Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin have taken the burden upon them to see the Tigers through to the 100-run mark. The chase of 330 looks like an unrealistic expectation at thge moment.

Both Sabbir and Saifuddin have had good showings with the bat in this series. Bangladesh will be hoping the duo can build a much-needed partnership  from here on in. Bangladesh are 94 for 5 after 22 overs.

Tigers five down for 61

An embarrassing defeat looms as the top order fails yet again to leave Bangladesh floundering on 61 for five in chase of a monumental 331 in the third ODI against New Zealand in Dunedin.

14.4 - And the last real hope departs. Mahmudullah Riyad comes down the track and tries to hit Colin de Grandhomme out of the park but only finds the palms of deep midwicket. 

Mahmudullah c Munro b de Grandhomme 16 (36b, 4x1,6x1). FOW: 61/5 (14.4 ov)

It's game and set for New Zealand in the third ODI after Mushfiqur Rahim's departure left the score on 40 for four after 10 overs and only Mahmudullah Riyad representing a faint hope of a recovery.

9.5 - After a glimmer of hope in a brisk 38-run fourth wicket partnership, Mushfiqur Rahim top edges Trent Boult high in the Dunedin sky but not long as he is caught at third man, dealing a hammer blow to Bangladesh's hopes of a consolation win.

Mushfiqur Rahim c Munro b Boult 17 (27, 4x3). FOW: 4-40 (9.5 ov)

After a horrid start to an unlikely chase of 331, the old firm of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad have taken Bangladesh to 20 for three after six overs.

2.1 - Liton Das does twice as well in terms of balls and infinitely better in terms of runs than his two recently departed teammates, but that just means that he faced four deliveries for one run before being trapped in front by another beauty of an outswinger from Southee. 

Liton Das lbw b Southee 1 (4). FOW: 3-2 (2.1 ov)

0.4 - Two balls are all it takes to dismantle Soumya Sarkar and unlike Tamim's dismissal, this was all Southee. The ball hooped in from outside the left-hander's off stump and screamed through the gap between Soumya's bat and pad to hit the top of middle and off. Another second-ball duck.

Soumya Sarkar b Southee 0 (2). FOW: 2-0 (0.4 ov)

0.2 - That is as terrible a shot as can be played to start a chase of 331 after being 2-0 down in a three-match series. Tamim Iqbal dances down the track and Southee sees him coming, bowls it wide but Tamim chases it in an awkward fashion to get an edge through to the skipper and wicket-keeper. 

Tamim Iqbal c Latham b Southee 0 (2). FOW: 1-0 (0.2 ov)

Bangladesh were on the receiving end of a shellacking, especially late in New Zealand's innings, as the hosts stormed to a total of 330 for six in the third ODI at the University Oval in Dunedin.

New Zealand rode on a trio of half-centuries from Henry Nicholls (64), Ross Taylor (69) -- who surpassed Stephen Fleming as New Zealand's highest ever run-scorer when he crossed 51 -- and Tom Latham (59) as they piled on the runs after losing the toss on one of the best batting wickets in the country. 

Bangladesh have won the toss and elected to bowl first in the third ODI at Dunedin. Rubel Hossain, who sat out the first two ODIs, has been brought into the side in place of injured batsman Mohammad Mithun.

Liton Das will be wicket-keeping after scans revealed that Mushfiqur Rahim has a broken rib bone. Mushy has still made the lineup despite the injury. Kiwis have made three changes with Southee, Santner & Munro in for Henry, Astle & Williamson

Squads:

New Zealand XI: Guptill, Nicholls, Munro, Taylor, Latham (Capt), de Grandhomme, Neesham, Santner, Ferguson, Boult, Southee

Bangladesh XI: Tamim, Liton (wk), Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah, Sabbir, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Saifuddin, Mashrafe (capt), Rubel, Mustafizur