Big picture
Bangladesh believes this ODI series is their best chance to finally win in New Zealand. The first game in Dunedin in particular, when New Zealand are without two of their most experienced bats and captains, is going to be a golden opportunity for the visitors, which has also been said that the preparation time for this trip in New Zealand was fertile.
But they are also without Shakib Al Hasan, and that is a big equality factor in this series. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are not in New Zealand. It’s certainly a vacant spot but the likes of Tom Latham, the amateur captain, and openers Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls will be looking to make up for their own international experience. But for Bangladesh, it is a huge loss not to get Shakib.
As he will be missed as a mid-order batsman, Shakib is his favorite bowler in away conditions, especially in New Zealand.
Bangladesh have been on their side lately and this is their favorite form of the game. They recently beat the West Indies 3-0 at home, with many of their experienced batsmen among the runs. However, losing to the West Indies in the Test series that followed has been a cause for concern.
New Zealand, meanwhile, played an ODI series in March last year when their tour of Australia was cut short when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. They have only played four ODIs since the 2019 World Cup.
So the series may boil down to how both sides use the experience. And how Bangladesh will deal with a fast-paced attack in New Zealand that involves Trent Boult in form and Kyle Jamieson. They will be heavily reliant on the big three in Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah and will have to step up Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mustafizur Rahman and be the game winners they have been in before.
What may also make a difference is whether a well-developed Bangladesh distance attack can take advantage of the slight decline in knowledge in the upper and middle order of New Zealand.
Form instructions
(last five completed games)
New Zealand LWWWL
Bangladesh WWWWW
In mind
New Zealand is ready to give them their first ODI tour Devon Conway, which broke into the T20I side late last year, and is already in its fifties. The 99 without a loss against Australia last month was a real start. Conway is likely to bat at No. 3, with many in New Zealand cricket excited about this 29-year-old coming in well.
Mushfiqur Rahim Bangladesh’s middle-order fulcrum, especially without Shakib. He also holds a wicket, and the double charge has often brought out the best in it. Rahim will be expected to take the side deep into the game, and not let go of his big lift back in the overs slogans.
Team news
New Zealand will make at least five changes to the side that played their last ODI in Australia in March last year. Williamson (elbow), Taylor (hamstring), Colin de Grandhomme (ankle) and Lockie Ferguson (back) are out with injuries while Ish Sodhi, despite his Player-of-the-Series performance in the against Australia in the recent T20Is, has also been discussed. Conway, Will Young and Daryl Mitchell are likely to make their first ODI.
New Zealand (probably) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Henry Nicholls, 3 Devon Conway, 4 Tom Latham (capt & wk), 5 Will Young, 6 James Neesham, 7 Daryl Mitchell, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Kyle Jamieson, 11 Trent Boult
Until Mossaddek Hossain is announced as fit for the first ODI, Bangladesh will have to wait to finish their XI play. Among the distance archers, the management of the team may give way to young Hasan Mahmud early in the series.
Bangladesh (probably) 1 Tamim Iqbal (capt), 2 Liton Das, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mosaddek Hossain / Mohammad Mithun, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Soumya Sarkar, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Hasan Mahmud / Taskin Ahmed
Park and conditions
The bat first sided an average of 261 earned half of the ODIs at the University Oval in Dunedin. With short borders, it looks like a running festival although there is a chance of cloud cover in the morning and a rain shower.
Stats and trivia
- It is six years since New Zealand last played ODI without Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson.
- In the last ODI held at this ground, Tim Southee grabbed the most expensive six-wicket draw after Mustafizur became Bangladesh’s second bowler to concede more than 90 runs in ODI.
Quotes
“We have a strong fast bowling attack this time around. We have a few young players that I have been excited to see. They have been doing really well in the practice games. Hopefully we have a good start tomorrow. “
Captain Bangladesh Tamim Iqbal, when asked about the strength of his side on this tour.
“The pride is huge. It’s an honor to be able to captain New Zealand. It’s something you dream of doing, and the opportunity to get it back is really nice. Hopefully it can for us to start the series well. “
Captain New Zealand Tom Latham, who stands in for injured Kane Williamson.
Mohammad Isam is a Bangladeshi journalist at ESPNcricinfo. @ isam84