A high-flying Bangladesh will look to clinch the series when they take on New Zealand in the third match of the five-T20I series at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Sunday.
Bangladesh are leading 2-0 after winning the first two matches and would strongly aim to secure their maiden T20I series victory against the Kiwis with a couple of games to spare.
Amid the broad discussion of the surface the games are being played on in Mirpur, Bangladesh Friday registered a narrow four-run victory against the tourists after Mustafizur Rahman successfully defended 19 runs in the final over.
Bangladesh were in a situation of discomfort in the game but eventually once again showed how difficult an opposition they are in their own conditions.
Bangladesh batting unit for surely be now a bit boosted having scored 141 in the previous match and more so because the openers Liton Das and Mohammad Naim got to put some runs on the board.
The home team batters, particularly the openers, have struggled lately and the 59-run stand between Liton and Naim Friday shall come as a relief.
Liton and Naim having failed in the first game of the series made a strong turnaround scoring 39 off as many balls and 33 off 29 respectively, while captain Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on 37.
As declared by Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo ahead of the series, there is a likely shift of wicket-keeping duty.
Nurul Hasan is done with the first two games as wicket-keeper and the duty, as per Domingo, will now shift to Mushfiqur Rahim.
In the bowling department, the pace duo Mustafizur and Saifuddin had put in their contribution alongside the spinners.
The pacers defended 36 runs in the business end of the New Zealand chase.
Meanwhile, New Zealand will believe to be in a much better mental position going into the third match.
The visiting side had a nightmarish start to the tour, getting all out for a record joint low total but the scenario changed drastically in the second game.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham, promoted to No 3, was heroic, almost guiding his team to the shore amid challenging conditions.
The left-hander remained unbeaten on 65 off 49 balls.
In the last over, he needed to hit left-arm pacer Mustafizur for six for a win, but was denied.
The events in the previous game will surely enhance New Zealand’s belief that they can remain afloat in the series.
However, they will need other batters to step up as Latham did.
Bangladesh [probable]:
Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim [wk], Mahmudullah (capt), Nurul Hasan, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed
