Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, Match Preview
Bangladesh Vs New Zealand has always been a unique contest. Despite all their success, New Zealand have struggled in Bangladesh and have faced some horrifying defeats over the last decade. The pitches are slower in Bangladesh, which has contributed to New Zealand only winning one out of their last eleven bilateral games in the nation.
New Zealand come to Bangladesh with a completely different side from the one that is going to play in the World Cup. There are no common players and the level of the side may indicate another one-sided affair. While the experience gap between the two sides is vast, it is worth noting that stronger sides have struggled in Bangladesh.
Unlike before, Bangladesh is a confident side. They are going head-to-head with nations who were once leaders of World Cricket and are making a lot of noise. They recently won the T20I series against Australia, which was their first series victory against Australia in any format. The pitches helped them and the bowlers saved the side in a series of low scoring encounters.
Bangladesh come into this contest as favorites again, and they will likely use the same formula as they did against Australia. They have spinners in Shakib Al Hasan and Nasum Ahmed while Mustafizur Rahman’s cutters come as a surprise to the batters. The batting is an issue, but with the return of Mushfiqur Rahim, the middle-order may have some more stability.
New Zealand have only three players who have played more than ten T20Is. Tom Latham, Colin De Grandhomme and Scott Kuggeleijn are the three, but neither has played T20I in a while. Finn Allen will miss out after testing positive for Covid-19 while New Zealand’s three uncapped players could make their debuts in the series. There is a lot of potential in the likes of Cole McConchi, Rachin Ravindra and Ben Sears, and each look very excited.
Hamish Bennet is the senior-most bowler and the only player in the side to have played in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, Team News
Soumya Sarkar may have to make way if Bangladesh are to include Litton Das. Mushfiqur Rahim is another inclusion after missing out on the Australian series.
For New Zealand, they will be having a completely new side as they will make up to ten changes from their previous T20. They have three spinners, of which two are likely to make their debut and Ben Seares, who could also debut early in the series.
Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, Predicted XIs
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Mohammad Naim, 2 Liton Das, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim, 5 Mahmudullah (capt), 6 Nurul Hasan (wk), 7 Afif Hossain, 8 Mahedi Hasan, 9 Shoriful Islam, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Nasum Ahmed
New Zealand (probable): 1 Henry Nicholls, 2 Will Young, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Tom Latham (capt & wk), 5 Tom Blundell, 6 Cole McConchie, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Doug Bracewell, 9 Scott Kuggeleijn, 10 Hamish Bennett, 11 Ajaz Patel
Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, Players to Watch out for
Ben Sears
Ben Sears is not a direct entry into the eleven, but he is a very exciting prospect. He will make his debut at some stage in the series, and his raw pace can shake batters even on the slowest of surfaces. The young pacer will be hoping to get a chance in the series and will look to break into the World Cup squad using the limited opportunities on offer.
Mushfiqur Rahim
Mushfiqur Rahim was unfortunate to miss the Australian series due to the Covid protocols and will surely hope to make amends. The manner at which he sat out of the series is likely to fire him up, and the wicket-keeper batter will be charged up in the series. With Bangladesh struggling with the bat, his presence in the middle-order might make a difference.
Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, Pitch and Conditions
The pitches are going to be slow and low, giving low scoring games like the ones against Australia. Scores in the 130 range should be enough. With the surface getting slower as the game progresses, batting first will be the better option.
