Shamsur leads Bangladesh to clean sweep over New Zealand

Bangladesh cricketers and officials pose for a photo after winning the third One-Day International (ODI) cricket match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at Khan Jahan Ali Stadium in Fatullah on the outskirts of Dhaka. (AFP/Munir uz ZAMAN)

FATULLAH, Bangladesh: Shamsur Rahman led Bangladesh to a stunning victory over New Zealand on Sunday, chasing down more than 300 to complete a 3-0 sweep of the one-day international series.

Shamsur's 96 rocketed the home side to 309-6, steaming past New Zealand's 307 with four balls and four wickets to spare at the packed Khan Shaheb Osman Ali stadium at Fatullah just outside Dhaka.

The 25-year-old opener hit seven fours and four sixes in his 107-ball knock as Bangladesh successfully chased down a 300-plus total for only the second time in their playing history.

Shamsur, playing only his second one-day international, fell short of what would have been a well- deserved century when his attempted drive off a Corey Anderson delivery became an edge and flew to wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi.

Naeem Islam continued to lead the charge after Shamsur's departure before he was run out for 63 after facing 74 balls.

Nasir Hossain (44 not out) stayed till the end to ensure Bangladesh never lost their way in the chase on the batting-friendly pitch.

Earlier, Ross Taylor hit his eighth one-day century as New Zealand posted their highest total in the series.

The visitors were desperate to avoid another humiliating whitewash, after their previous one-day series against Bangladesh.

Taylor, who was part of the New Zealand squad that lost 4-0 to Bangladesh in 2010, remained unbeaten on 107 while Colin Munro made 85 to give the tourists what looked like a fighting chance.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim ranked their latest triumph ahead of the series in 2010.

"Both the series victories are great but personally I will go for this series over 2010," he said.

"We had a couple of injuries, that of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal for the last game and we overcame that.

"We were a bit handicapped before the series got underway (injuries and lack of matches) but by the time it ended, we are all satisfied."

Taylor and Munro put on 130 for the fourth wicket after Mushfiqur won the toss and elected to bowl at the Fatullah ground, which was hosting its first international match for seven years.

Former captain Taylor made the most of his chances after Rubel Hossain dropped him off his own bowling on 12, hitting nine fours and three sixes in his 93-ball innings.

Anton Devcich (46) and Tom Latham (43) had given New Zealand a decent start with a 66-run opening stand. But Bangladesh struck back soon afterwards through their spinners to reduce the visitors to 101-3.

Munro, playing his first match in the series, led the initial charge to complete his fifty before he fell to off-spinner Mahmudullah.

The left-hander smashed seven fours and two sixes in his 95-ball innings.

Taylor was initially sedate but accelerated after reaching his fifty off 69 deliveries.

His three sixes came in consecutive deliveries off a Sohag Gazi over as New Zealand added 73 in the last five overs to cross the 300-run mark.

"We are all very disappointed with the outcome of not just today's match but the whole series," said stand-in New Zealand captain Kyle Mills.

"To go down 3-0 is extremely disappointing. It wasn't our plan when we came out here but we have to hand it to the Bangladesh side, they played exceptional cricket today."

The two teams will now play a Twenty20 International on Wednesday in Dhaka before New Zealand fly to Sri Lanka for an ODI and Twenty20 series.