After 20 innings and a 25-month drought, Najmul Hossain Shanto finally delivered when it mattered most, guiding Bangladesh national cricket team to a crucial victory over New Zealand national cricket team.

At the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram, Shanto struck a composed 105 off 119 balls, helping Bangladesh post 265-8 in challenging conditions. The total proved enough, as the hosts secured a 55-run win in what was effectively a series-deciding clash with significant World Cup qualification implications.

Bangladesh were reeling early at 32-3, but Shanto rose to the occasion with a captain’s knock under pressure. He rebuilt the innings cautiously, reaching his fifty off 70 balls before shifting gears to bring up his century with greater fluency, needing just 44 deliveries for his second half.

The turning point came through a vital 160-run fourth-wicket partnership with Liton Das—the second-highest stand for Bangladesh against New Zealand. Liton contributed a steady 76 off 91 balls before departing, while Shanto carried on to anchor the innings.

The century also marked a full-circle moment for Shanto, whose previous ODI hundred came at the same venue against Sri Lanka in March 2024. With this knock, he became only the third Bangladeshi batter to score an ODI century against New Zealand at this ground.

Coming into the match under scrutiny, Shanto had struggled for consistency since relinquishing the ODI captaincy last year. Despite averaging 51.27 as skipper, his returns had dipped sharply—managing just one fifty in his previous 14 innings at an average of 18.76.

But in a high-stakes encounter, Shanto answered his critics in emphatic fashion—delivering a knock that not only defined the match but could also shape Bangladesh’s road ahead.