DHAKA, Dec 20, 2023 (BSS)-Soumya Sarkar couldn't' celebrate his 'face saving' century in more special way as Bangladesh suffered a seven-wicket defeat to concede the three-match ODI series at the hands of New Zealand.

Coming to play the match under severe pressure, following his continuous flop show and a horrible performance in the rain-hit first game, which many believed was key in Bangladesh's 44-run defeat on DLS, Soumya produced a knock that broke several records.

"I am happy with my hundred but sad that we lost. If we had won, it would have been more special," Soumya said after the first game.

Soumya hit 151 ball-169 which is now the highest innings by an Asian batter on New Zealand soil, going past cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's 163. His innings was divided into two parts-in the first part, he was shaky and saw at least three catches being put down due to butter-finger Kiwi fielders, survived a close lbw shout and there was numerous edges which didn't carry.

But after reaching 100 off 116, he came back to his old beast mood, as he smacked last 69 off just 35 balls.

It's a knock that was also second-best individual ton by a Bangladeshi batter behind Liton Das's 176, but the best in overseas condition going past Tamim Iqbal's 151 against Zimbabwe.

Despite his epic knock, Bangladesh posted 291 before being all out on a batting paradise, largely due to yet another top order collapse, which saw Bangladesh slumped to 80-4 in 16.5 obvers.

New Zealand raced to the victory effortlessly in 46.2 overs, making 296-3.

Anything closer to 350-run could give Bangladesh an opportunity to put pressure on Kiwis. Soumya believes a big score could have been possible had they not lost three wickets in the powerplay.

"If we had not lost three wickets in the powerplay, it might have made a difference. We got two partnerships in the middle but we lost wickets at crucial moments. If that had not happened, we would have gotten a good total," he said.

While he had three ducks in the last five matches and was continuously trolled in the social media, it was not easier to motivate and comeback such a strong fashion. Soumya said he didn't do anything special, rather he just wants to play his natural game.

"We are practicing hard in the nets. I am coming into the team after a long time. Not thinking too much, just watching the ball and trying to play my own game," he said, adding that the pull shot over mid-wicket gave him the confidence to get back to his natural game.