Visitors Bangladesh will be desperate to meet the ambition of registering their maiden win against New Zealand in New Zealand when the sides meet in the three-match ODI series starting tomorrow.
The first ODI of the series will be played in Dunedin starting at 4am Bangladesh standard time.
Bangladesh departed for New Zealand last month with the intention of breaking the jinx of not having won a single game against the host nation on their soil.
Bangladesh have toured New Zealand four times and have lost all 26 matches - 13 ODIs, including one in the 2015 World Cup, four T20s and nine Tests.
Bangladesh will be counting big on their young pace-bowling attack that has been promising.
Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal putting light on their confidence of getting the first win said it is driven mostly from the current pace bowling line-up.
Bangladesh in the squad have left-arm pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Shariful Islam, right-arm pacers Al Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud and right-arm pacer-allrounder Saifuddin.
A uniquely @Lovedunedin media call for the captains ahead of the Alesha Mart ODI Series #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/jIawSwFn6B
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 19, 2021
Opening batsman Tamim in the pre-match online media session yesterday hinted that the XI would rely heavily on pacers with the inclusion of at least three of them, and a total of five pure bowlers.
“To be honest we believe that we have a better pace bowling attack compared to our previous tours of New Zealand. The current group looks in good shape but it is also a point that they have to execute well. Secondly I think it is of having the trust and confidence while on tour. I strongly believe in this unit achieving something. I will hope we can stick to this mindset from the very first game of the series,” said Tamim.
Bangladesh will also be counting on the time they got to prepare in New Zealand conditions having travelled to the country early.
The Tigers reached Christchurch on February 25 and following their mandatory quarantine got 10 days to train as an unit amid the foreign conditions.
Bangladesh also played a 50-over intra-squad practice match where both batting and bowling unit performed reasonably well.
“We ensured to use the facilities in the best way possible in the last six-seven days. I can say we are well prepared ahead of the first game. I don’t think you will hear from the team that we were underprepared irrespective of whatever the result is at the end. I think we are satisfied so far the way we have prepared,” Tamim emphasized.
#NZvBAN | Skipper @Tomlatham2 reflects on what’s set to be his 100th ODI tomorrow and on leading the side. pic.twitter.com/qb31zbggQp
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 19, 2021
In the batting line-up Bangladesh can easily find depth playing eight batsmen with Saifuddin and Mehedi Hasan Miraz serving the bowling needs as well.
Discussion will surely be ongoing as to which of Nazmul Hossain Shanto or Soumya Sarkar slots in the side.
For New Zealand, the challenge had already started when they lost captain Kane Williamson and then experienced campaigner Ross Taylor to injuries ahead of the series.
This will surely add some belief to the Bangladesh camp but not much given that the Kiwis formidable at their backyard.
Bangladesh XI (probable):
Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Nazmul Hossain Shanto/Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Saifuddin, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman.
Bangladesh Team completed today's (March 19) practice session at University Oval, Dunedin,#BCB pic.twitter.com/MijkqeQEhl
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 19, 2021
