A new year, a new scheme, can Tiger break their losing jinx in New Zealand, though a Kiwi wash in ODI series may have taken away some of their confidence despite that, Tigers are desperately looking forward to restore their lost pride as they face host New Zealand in the first T20I of the three-match series scheduled to be held today (Monday) at Mclean Park.
The match kicks off at 12 pm (BST).
Rain is forecast for Tuesday, though the weather is expected to clear in the evening. This will be the first T20 played at McLean Park and the first international match after three years. Usually, pace bowlers have had an advantage with the extra bounce and, on occasion, the wind.
Bangladesh now has an opportunity to rectify their mistakes in ODI and put up a fight against the Kiwis though they have very dismal record against New Zealand in the shorter version. Tiger have lost all their four games including the last one in the World T20 last year.
Sadly the defeat in that particular match was humiliating one as the Tigers were drubbed by Kiwis by ten wickets. While in their last visit at Seddon Park in Hamilton in 2010 was nightmarish one as they were bundled out for a paltry total of 78.
While reports received here says that Mashrafe Mortaza who will be playing his 50th T20 matches would like to field a side similar to their ODI team. He became the fifth player achieve this landmark. But Mashrafe will be handicapped as his most prolific and inform Mushfiqur Rahim will miss all
three T20 because of hamstring injury.
The major problem Tigers has been facing their inability to take advantage from good start as they had number of pathetic batting collapses and Tigers skipper has vowed to look on to their earlier mistakes and rectify those in these coming matches.
Though Bangladesh has included Shuvagata Hom and Taijul Islam in the squad for the first T20 but their chances to play tomorrow looks bleak. Tiger think tankers have decided to keep faith in opener Soumya Sarkar who had a run drought last year.
Rubel Hossain who showed to return into form in local T20 BPL meet recently was not picked up for ODIs but he maybe be drafted in tomorrow’s outing giving rest to pacer Taskin Ahmed. Experienced Mashrafe and pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman along with Shakib, Mossadek and Mahmudullah will be the bowling strength for the Tigers.
Whereas batting is concerned Tigers’s most experienced T20 player, Shakib Hasan will have to play a big part to boost their sagging spirit. Shakib with both bat and ball will be a key player for Bangladesh if they are turns the tables.
Batting led by ace opener Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mahmdullah Riyad, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib and Mossadek are the batting strength of Tigers. Replaced wicket keeper Nurul Hasan is a fighter who will not give his wicket so easily.
Over all Tigers fielding has been the bane for them and tomorrow it will be the key for them they have to put up superlative performance if they want to beat the strong on form Kiwis who are flying high after inflicting 3-0 drubbing in ODI.
Tom Bruce drafting makes New Zealand more pregnable whereas their batting strength is concerned. The uncapped batsman Tom Bruce, who has a strike rate of 156 in T20s along with Corey Anderson and Colin Munro makes their middle order as a devastating strike force.
New Zealand allrounder Ben Wheeler, is coming back in the squad, along with Neil Broom who replaced injured Martin Guptill but went on to hit a magnificent ton in ODI.
Kiwis with their strong batting and bowling bagged by brilliant fielding looks a safe bet where as tomorrow’s (Tuesday) match is concerned.
Squads: Bangladesh (probable) Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman , Taskin Ahmed.
New Zealand (probable) Kane Williamson, Neil Broom, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Tom Bruce, Luke Ronchi (wk), Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry.
