Rishad-Nahid shine as Bangladesh make strides

Bangladesh have levelled the three-match ODI series against New Zealand with an impressive victory in Mirpur. The six-wicket win on Monday also brought significant individual gains for several Bangladeshi players, reflected in the latest ICC rankings.

In the successful run chase, opener Tanzid Hasan top-scored with 76. His performance saw him jump 14 places in the ODI batter rankings, moving up to 40th position. Teammate Towhid Hridoy, who remained unbeaten on 30 in the same match, also made progress, climbing five spots to joint 26th among ODI batters.

There were positive developments in the bowling rankings as well. Spinner Rishad Hossain moved up 10 places to joint 58th, while pacer Nahid Rana made a significant leap of 32 spots to reach 64th. The duo shared six wickets between them in the Mirpur clash, playing a key role in Bangladesh’s victory.

Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam has also re-entered the rankings. With two wickets in each of the first two matches against New Zealand, he is now ranked 39th among ODI bowlers. This marks his first appearances in the 50-over format since 2024, making his return even more impactful.

Overall, these performances underline the steady rise of Bangladesh’s young and emerging players on the international stage. It also provides a strong boost of confidence for the team ahead of the series decider.