Najmul answers critics with composed match-winning ton

Najmul Hossain Shanto scored his fourth ODI hundred, his first in over two years, in the series-deciding third ODI against New Zealand at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Thursday.

His form had been under intense scrutiny after a duck in the opening ODI, with many questioning his place in the side. He had gone 13 consecutive ODI innings without a fifty before scoring an unbeaten 50 in the second match, where he was retired out with cramp.

Batting at No. 4, Najmul put on 160 with Litton Das after Bangladesh slipped to 32/3 in the Powerplay. He scored 105 off 119 balls with nine fours and two sixes, battling cramps during his nearly three-hour innings.

His childhood mentor Sohel Islam explained technical changes behind the improvement:

• Lower backlift: Najmul has lowered his backlift to improve swing and rhythm, helping him hit sixes from a standing position
• Forward trigger movement: After the first ODI, he adjusted his trigger to stay more forward against pacers instead of leaning back

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz praised the innings: "The way Shanto batted completely turned the momentum… Being 31 for three in those conditions is very difficult."

New Zealand captain Tom Latham described the conditions as "one of my hotter experiences playing" and credited the way Bangladesh batted.