New Zealand v Bangladesh, T20I Series: Combined XI

New Zealand completed a regulation win over Bangladesh in the recently concluded T20I series that saw the Kiwis take a 3-0 win in the context of the series. However, in spite of all this, the visitors Bangladesh were simply amazing opponents as they impressed with some impressive cricket over the last few days. While they have ceased to win a match in the series, there have been some decent performances in the manner in which some of the players have played. With a handful of players impressing from both teams, here is the combined XI for the recently-concluded series.

Kane Williamson (C)

As captain, Kane Williamson has had a rather ordinary start to his career. However, in spite of this, the 26-year old remains to be one of the better players in the Kiwis’ lineup and has also reveled in his position as the opening batsman for the New Zealanders. He concluded the series with 145 runs to his name, the most number of runs by a batsman in the series,  including an impressive 73 in the second T20 international. He also concluded with the best average at 73. He also has three wickets to his name in the series.

Soumya Sarkar

At 24, Soumya Sarkar is very much a rising star in the Bangladesh ranks. However, in spite of his age, he bats with sublime maturity with some of his strokes proving to be as devastating across all formats to say the least. In spite of only managing the 81 runs in the series, his innings of 42 while chasing the score in the third T20I was a highlight of his character, something the Bangladesh batsmen are in massive requirement of at the moment.

Colin Munro

Southpaw Colin Munro is one of the best batsmen when it comes to the shortest format of the game beyond a shout of a doubt. However, the issue with someone like Munro is that only if he gets going, one can add the most amount of value to the side. However, the second T20I was the only match that Munro scored all of his runs in the series. 101 runs was all that he managed and was dismissed for naught on the other two matches. However, his ton came in light of the fact that New Zealand were reeling at 4-30 when he stitched that partnership with Tom Bruce.

Sabbir Rahman

Sabbir Rahman is often looked at as the most outspoken member of the Bangladesh side. What’s more is that he has every right to be that way as he is able to shine with the bat when required. This requirement comes when the chips are usually down which has been the case for Bangladesh for the most part this series. However, the way Sabbir played in the second match to get 48 of the 82 runs he amassed in the series was quite amazing to say the least. His strike-rate of 130 was also something many had their eyes on.

Mahmudullah

Mahmudullah Riyad is usually viewed as a senior batsman for the Bangladesh side in recent times. However, the way he batted in this particular series has highlighted the responsibility he has as a batsman who bats down the order and with the tail. His 89 runs in the series began with an impressive 52 in the first match before the fire in his belly began to be put off slowly but surely. However, he remains to be an important member of the side.

Corey Anderson

Having recovered form injury in recent times, Corey Anderson was able to impress with his bowling before blasting an audacious and unbeaten 94 in the final T20 international. This saw him amass 111 runs in the series and leapfrog Colin Munro into second place and become the second best batsman of the series, a few runs behind his skipper Kane Williamson. However, Anderson also managed to impress with some impressive bowling in the series as well.

Tom Bruce

Tom Bruce was handed a T20I debut in Napier as he is renowned for his off-spinning prowess. However, his batting took centerstage this time around as he managed 71 runs 599 of which came in an unbeaten effort to bat alongside Colin Munro in the second T20I. He however, could not get his name in the wickets column as his bowling acumen remains to be seen.

Nurul Hasan (WK)

Nurul Hasan has impressed in recent times with some decent batting and wicketkeeping skills. With an injury to Mushfiqur Rahim in the first ODI, Nurul Hasan was handed the responsibility of keeping wickets, something he is impeccable at. He however, managed just the 24 runs in an unimpressive display of batting.

Rubel Hossain

After serving his one-year ban, Rubel Hossain is well and truly back with a bang. This bang has seen him complete the T20I series as the highest wicket-taker with 7 scalps to his name as well as a run out. This improvement has also been quite amazing as the 27-year old looks to erase the heartache of the ban to say the least.

Ish Sodhi

While it was Tom Bruce who could not make the impact he would have liked, it was Ish Sodhi who was able to spin his way into the wickets column for the Kiwis. He completed with 5 wickets in the two matches he played and also bowled at a decent economy rate, conceding just the 7 odd runs per over.

Ben Wheeler

With Lockie Ferguson not able to control his line and length, it was up to southpaw Ben Wheeler to make amends and bowl with some sort of control. Wheeler was able to bowl with the control as well as the pace, something that enabled him to take wickets from time to time including four scalps from the three matches he played. This also saw him be the most economical bowler of the series with an economy rate of 6.59.