The victory in the third game at the fourth purpose-built cricket venue of the country gave Bangladesh a decisive 3-0 lead in the four-match series and more importantly guaranteed them a place in the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in India next October.

It was also Bangladesh's second series triumph after their 3-2 win over Zimbabwe last year.

Rafique held his nerve in the exciting finale after the visitors, who lost the first two games without any fight, almost threatened to topple Bangladesh's fighting total of 231.

The experienced left-arm spinner, who finished with a career-best 5-47, effectively stopped the Kenyan surge by removing dangerman Ongondo with the first ball of the 49th over.

The Kenyans needed 25 runs from the last 12 balls with four wickets in hand with Ongondo looking in ominous touch (17-ball 27).

But the tall right-hander completely missed a slog sweep only to be bowled by Rafique, who also had Kenya's find of the series Tanmay Mishra (48) caught in the deep before effecting a smart run-out in that eventful over.

Paceman Mashrafee Bin Mortuza, who took two wickets with the new ball, then bowled the last batsman in the final over to fold the Kenyan innings at 211 with four balls to spare.

Man-of-the-match Rafique not only shone with the ball but also scored a vital 33 after Bangladesh had lost four wickets for 68 in a two-paced wicket.

The left-arm spinner is only the second Bangladeshi bowler to claim five wickets in a match after Aftab Ahmed's 5-31 against New Zealand in 2004 at Dhaka.

But despite left-handed opener Shahriar Nafees' (57) second fifty in the series, the home side needed a sublime effort from super-sub Alok Kapali (55 off 57 balls) to post a decent total after they were reeling at one stage on 132-6.

Kapali shared an invaluable 89-run stand for the seventh wicket with wicketkeeper-batsman Khaled Mashud (39). His fifth one-day fifty after 21 matches contained four boundaries.

But Bangladesh failed to put up a big total after they lost their last four wickets for only 10 runs and with more than four overs to spare.

Bangladesh also suffered an injury blow going into the fourth and final game at the same venue tomorrow with Kapali twisting his ankle while fielding.