New Zealand need to comeback hard in the T20I series (Twitter)
A historic maiden victory on New Zealand soil would've boosted Bangladeshi spirits enormously as they now head to Mount Maunganui to try and seal the three-match T20I series with another win on Friday (December 29).
For the BlackCaps, it's now a matter of pride and respect, having previously butchered the Tigers in home conditions and never losing a series against them. Missing their key players, the hosts will have to raise their performance after a horrific loss in the opening game of the rubber.
NZ vs BAN: Team Previews
New Zealand
New Zealand will have to pull their socks up (Twitter)
Struggles against the new-ball have now seen New Zealand falter miserably on two consecutive occasions, including the third and final One-Day International of the tour.
With no solidity and cover of the experienced Devon Conway available to them, it was an opportunity for Finn Allen and Tim Seifert to come to the fore.
However, a mini-collapse at the top meant the hosts never truly recovered on their feet despite a fighting knock of 48 from allrounder Neesham providing them something to defend at 134/9 in 20 overs.
This will have to change quickly as New Zealand desperately require an allround batting display to get back in the series in the must-win clash at the Bay Oval.
Bangladesh
Bangladeshi bowlers will be determined to continue their rich vein (Twitter)
What has changed Bangladesh's fortunes on Kiwi shores over the past week has been their improved bowling unit, especially their pace attack.
While it was the Shoriful Islam-Tanzim Hasan duo which did the major damage during the third ODI, this time Shoriful's bowling partnership with the experienced Mustafizur Rahman helped Bangladesh propel past the BlackCaps.
Shoriful has been in fantastic form on the trip and took 3 for 26 off his 4 overs in the victory in the first T20I and was backed up brilliantly by Mustafizur as the left-arm unorthodox gave away only 15 runs for his 2 wickets off his quota.
Another critical contributor was off-spinner Mehidi Hasan (2/14) as he maintained a tight leash and gave New Zealand no respite in the runs column.
The tourists will depend majorly on their bowling unit once again if they are to make life easier for their batters and potentially edge New Zealand 2-0 in the series.
NZ vs BAN: Match Details & Live Streaming
Match Details | |
---|---|
Date | December 29, 2023 |
Time | 11:40 AM IST |
Venue | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
Broadcast & Live Streaming | Amazon Prime |
NZ vs BAN: Bay Oval Pitch Report
It should be a flat pitch after the Kiwis would've seen what happens when they leave some life on the track in an intent to ruffle the Bangladeshi feathers. The ploy only gives Bangladesh bowlers an extra ally to get back at them. So a safe response to the defeat in the opening T20I would be to go back to playing on predominantly flat decks for the rest of the series. Expect a high-scoring game this time.
NZ vs BAN: Probable Playing XIs
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (C), Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears
Bangladesh: Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das (WK), Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Rony Talukdar, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman
NZ vs BAN: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Roles | Players |
---|---|
Wicketkeepers | Tim Seifert, Litton Das |
Batters | Najmul Shanto, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips |
Allrounders | Soumya Sarkar, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner |
Bowlers | Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tim Southee |
Captain | Litton Das |
Vice-captain | Daryl Mitchell |
NZ vs BAN: Winner Prediction
Expect the BlackCaps to comeback valiantly and level the T20I series 1-1 at the Bay Oval on a track likely to play flatter and better for scoring than the last match. Bangladesh will have to watch out for the likes of Phillips and Mitchell as they could be playing substantial knocks.