New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI, Preview: Visitors eye maiden ODI win against Kiwis on latter’s backyard

Albeit New Zealand emerged victorious in the three-match T20I series against India, Kane Williamson and Co lost the five-match ODI series 1-4 with one solitary victory at the Seddon Park in Hamilton where left-arm speedster Trent Boult ripped the heart out the Men in Blue. With the World Cup, knocking on the door, the Black Caps don’t have much time by any stretch of the imagination.

The Kiwis are yet to find the right balance in all the departments and they would be desperate to get them in place in the upcoming 50-overs series against Bangladesh. The first encounter is scheduled to be played tomorrow at the McLean Park in Napier. Though they have lost quite a few matches against the Tigers in the format, New Zealand have never lost to Bangladesh in home conditions.

Bangladesh, on the contrary, lost the warm-up match in Lincoln, though the game went right down to the wire. The team has lost the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed, two of their most in-form players in recent times and need to pull a rabbit out of the rabbit in the forthcoming fixtures. It would now be interesting to see how the Mashrafe Mortaza-led Tigers stand up and deliver.

Team Combination

New Zealand

Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls are the openers with Kane Williamson at number three. Ross Taylor remains to be the fulcrum of the batting lineup with Tom Latham coming at five. The hosts may field all the three all-rounders- James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, and Colin de Grandhomme. Todd Astle is the leg-spinner and will partner Santner in the spin department. Henry and Boult are the genuine pacers.

Probable XI

Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (WK), Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Todd Astle, Matt Henry, Trent Boult

Bangladesh

Sabbir Rahman scored 40 in the warm-up and either he or Mohammad Saifuddin may play, depending on the conditions. Tamim and Liton form the opening duo with the left-handed Soumya Sarkar at three. The onus would be on the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah in the middle-order. Skipper Mashrafe, Mustafizur, and Rubel will shoulder the fast bowling department with Mehidy as the spinner.

Probable XI

Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman/Mohammad Saifuddin, Rubel Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mustafizur Rahman

Focus will be on

Kane Williamson- New Zealand

With only one-half century in the ODI series against India, Williamson wasn’t in the greatest of knicks. He got starts but unfortunately couldn’t convert them. His indifferent form was also one of the reasons why the Black Caps slumped against India. It goes without saying that the experienced campaigner’s form would be of prime importance if the hosts are to beat Bangladesh.

Tamim Iqbal- Bangladesh

The left-hander recently hogged the headlines with a masterful 141 not out in the final of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and is in good touch with the willow. The 29-year-old also has four ODI half-centuries against New Zealand in the latter’s own backyard. In conditions where the leather is expected to jag around in the initial overs, Tamim’s role at the top would be crucial.

Head to Head

Matches – 31 | New Zealand won –21| Bangladesh won – 10 | NR – 0 | Tied – 0

In New Zealand

Matches – 10 | New Zealand won –10| Bangladesh won – 0 | NR – 0 | Tied – 0

Stat Attack

0– Number of ODIs Bangladesh have won out of 10 matches against the Black Caps in New Zealand

Broadcast Details

TV – Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD in India

Live Streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings – 06:30 IST; 14:00 local

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