New Zealand posted 318 runs for six wickets in the third and final ODI of the three-match series against Bangladesh on Friday at Wellington, riding on 100s by Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell.
It was the first time for Conway (126) and Mitchell (100) to smash 100 in ODIs. Conway's previous best was 72 while Mitchell's highest in ODIs was 12*.
The Kiwis have already secured the series after winning the first two games at Dunedin and Christchurch.
Bangladesh batted first in the first two games. But this time, they were sent to bowl first after losing the toss.
The visitors failed to find a good rhythm in bowling as their premium pacer Mustafizur Rahman struggled throughout the innigns to get some movement or swing. The other bowlers were also clueless in one of the biggest cricket grounds of New Zealand.
Mustafizur gave away 87 runs in 10 overs taking only one wicket – his second-worst ODI bowling figure.
Bangladesh got the first breakthrough when Taskin removed Henry Nicholls for 18. Right after that Rubel Hossain dismissed Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor in quick succession.
But Tom Latham and Conway added 63 runs in the fourth wicket stand and repaired the early damage. Soumya Sarkar broke the partnership by removing Latham.
The visitors were in control of the game as the hosts lost four wickets for 120 runs. But Conway and Mitchell added 159 runs in the fifth wicket stand, enabling New Zealand to pass the 300-run mark.
In the last 10 overs, New Zealand added 107 runs, and Mustafizur conceded 43 of those runs. He gave away 21 runs in the last overs.
To win this game, Bangladesh will have to pass their highest total of 271 in New Zealand which they scored in the previous game in Christchurch.
