New Zealand chose to field after winning the toss against Bangladesh in the third and final ODI in Chattogram on April 23, with the three-match series level at 1-1 and the decider carrying real weight for both sides. The match is being played at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.
Bangladesh responded with two changes to their XI, bringing in Tanvir Islam and Mustafizur Rahman. New Zealand also adjusted their side, drafting in Ben Lister. The selection calls gave the morning a slightly sharper edge, especially for Bangladesh, who appeared keen to refresh their bowling mix for the series-defining game.
There was already enough tension around this match before the toss. New Zealand had taken the opening ODI by 26 runs, but Bangladesh hit back in the second to square the series, turning the Chattogram fixture into a straight shootout. That, honestly, changed the feel of it. What might have been a routine final game suddenly looked like the one that would frame the whole tour.
Early play suggested New Zealand’s call was more than just a toss-time instinct. Bangladesh slipped into trouble at the top, with live score updates showing them at 107 for 3 after 26 overs. Will O’Rourke made the early dents, removing Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan Tamim, while Soumya Sarkar also fell before the innings could settle.
By that stage, Bangladesh were trying to rebuild through the middle overs rather than launch. The live commentary indicated Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das were involved in the repair job after the top-order wobble, with Bangladesh working their way back into the contest instead of letting it slide completely.
From a Bangladesh perspective, the return of Mustafizur adds experience and control, while Tanvir’s inclusion points to a desire for a slightly different balance in the attack. New Zealand, meanwhile, backed their seamers to make the first use of conditions, and for the opening stretch at least, that decision looked spot on.
