Probably for the first Bangladesh go into a World Cup match without any added pressure as they face the co-host New Zealand in their last Pool A match at Hamilton, New Zealand on Friday.
Irrespective of this match result but Tigers and New Zealand are already assured of their quarterfinal berth.
Even if Kiwis lose this match they are already assured of their place as Pool A leader while if Bangladesh can upset New Zealand in their last match, then they have a chance to finish at number three in their group and avoid defending champion India in their quarterfinal opponent who are so far going great gun in this World Cup.
Despite Tigers giant killing role against England the co-host remains strong favourites for this match. Bangladesh has never beaten New Zealand in New Zealand, and the Kiwis are on a role with by winning five encounters without any hiccup.
Despite sitting on a comfortable position Kiwis also are on spot of bother as three Kiwi players including Kane Williamson are facing minor injury problems.
Bangladesh has arrived in New Zealand for this fixture before heading back to Australia for the quarter. Tiger’s spin coach Ruwan Kalpage talking to media said that initially we had a target that was to book a place for the quarterfinals which Tigers did it in style by sending England packing home.
Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarker all shone with the willow while Rubel Hossain, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Taskin Ahmed all hogged the headlines with leather.
Now the initial dream part is over, so there is no harm in dreaming for bigger achievement and why not start it from tomorrow by beating famous Kiwis at their own back yard.
So far New Zealand’s middle order has not played under pressure but when against Australia they were nearly exposed and they just scrambled home. Ross Taylor so far did look in the best of form, while Grant Elliott has faced 94 balls in the tournament and Luke Ronchi 36. So if Tigers bowlers can create early inroads. Who knows what awaits them and no team looks comfortable in pressure.
Seamer Rubel Hossain is looking in top form as his twin double-strikes, first to remove Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan and later Stuart Broad and James Anderson saw England bids adieu to this World Cup.
He has some fond memories of against Kiwis by taking their 6 scalps for only 26, including a hat-trick, in Dhaka in October 2013. New Zealand camp confirmed that they are taking this match very seriously and they would be seriously taking Tigers by naming their best eleven tomorrow.
While Bangladesh think tankers are in a dilemma whether to rest Mashrafe or include him in the first XI. Mashrafe is down with a sore throat and also was seen hobbling throughout the match against England. Besides, Tiger skipper is involved in another problem as match referee fined him and his team for an over-rate following the England match and if his team were slow again in Hamilton he would miss the quarter-final.
Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha told the media that the balance of the attack would remain the same with Arafat Sunny retaining his place.
Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 9 Arafat Sunny, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Taskin Ahmed.
New Zealand (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Brendon McCullum (capt), 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Corey Anderson, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori, 9 Adam Milne/Mitchell McClenaghan, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult.
