Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, Match Preview
After a fightback from New Zealand in the third game, the series has been decided due to two magnificent bowling performances. Nasum Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman powered Bangladesh to a win in the fourth game to seal the series. The same bowlers will likely have a say in the upcoming fixture provided they are not rested.
Although the upcoming fixture is a dead rubber, both sides have an opportunity to try out some new players ahead of the World Cup. For Bangladesh, they can try players in their squad, who are in the squad but haven’t got much game time. New Zealand on the other hand have an opportunity to provide players with some international experience before they head to Pakistan.
New Zealand will be hoping to win the upcoming game and carry some confidence into the Pakistan tour. They fought well in the previous two games, but the middle-order needs to raise its game if New Zealand are to be competitive in the upcoming fixtures.
Ajaz Patel was the lone-warrior with the ball, with some support from Rachin Ravindra. His tight bowling took the game close and almost helped New Zealand complete an unlikely win.
Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, Team News
Bangladesh have fielded an unchanged eleven throughout the series but may makes some changes ahead of the final T20. Shakib Al Hasan and Saifuddin are likely to miss out due to finger injuries. Mustafizur Rahman and Nasum Ahmed will also likely be rested. Soumya Sarkar hasn’t played yet due to a shoulder injury and may find himself in the side for the final game. Liton Das could get another opportunity while some of the batters on the bench make an appearance on the field.
New Zealand may bring in Matt Henry for the upcoming fixture. He is the only player who hasn’t featured in the series and could get a sighter ahead of the Pakistan series.
Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, Team News
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Mohammad Naim, 2 Liton Das, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim, 5 Mahmudullah (capt), 6 Afif Hossain, 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Shamim Hossain, 9 Shoriful Islam, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Aminul Islam.
New Zealand (probable): 1 Rachin Ravindra, 2 Finn Allen, 3 Tom Latham (capt & wk), 4 Will Young, 5 Colin de Grandhomme, 6 Henry Nicholls, 7 Tom Blundell, 8 Cole McConchie, 9 Ajaz Patel, 10 Hamish Bennett, 11 Blair Tickner.
Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, Players to Watch out for
Colin De Grandhomme
Colin De Grandhomme is one of the more experience players in the squad and has been around for a long time. He has played some big games and would be gutted to miss out on the World Cup. Despite all the experience, De Grandhomme hasn’t been of much significance in the ongoing series. Known for his big-hitting, De Grandhomme has struggled with low scores, and New Zealand will hope he shows up on the final game. With a struggling middle-order, a strong innings from Grandhomme could help inject some life in the innings.
Mushfiqur Rahim
Mushfiqur Rahim is another experienced player who has struggled to find his rhythm in the series. He recently relinquished the keeping duties in T20Is, and was out of the Australian T20s. With the middle-order struggling, Rahim was expected to guide the side in the middle, but he has struggled to do so. With the World Cup likely to be played on pitches which provide balance to bat and ball, Rahim will be crucial in providing the middle-overs acceleration.
Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, Pitch Conditions
Batting first has been tough on low and slow pitches, but is still a good option as a decent score could look like a lot. The pitch is going to be slow, and will continue to get slower as the game progresses.
