Picture courtesy : Google images
Currently New Zealand is touring Bangladesh for a three match One Day Internationals (ODI) series.
With the series tied at 1-1 the last encounter at Chattogram became a delicious one for all.
Previously when the two nations clashed with each other at Dhaka they both had to struggle with their batting but here in Chattogram the curator has settled for a flat sporting wicket.
In Chattogram , Bangladesh won last four ODIs, out of five all of the wins came while chasing. On the other hand New Zealand played just a single ODI that too, way back in 2008.
The wicket at Chattogram, in all likelihood, has little to offer to the spinners. This will be the reason for Bangladesh to continue with three pacers.
It will be an acid test for Jayden Lennox to maintain the spin department on his own. And hence, he could turn to the part timer Dean Foxcroft. In all likelihood, leg spinner Adithya Ashok will be making his debut.
Bangladesh spinners Mehdi Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain have to maintain the discipline of the spin bowling department.
In batting, the Kiwis can depend on their experienced batters in the form of Henry Nicholls, Will Young and the skipper Tom Latham. These troica, on their given day, can turn the match in favour of New Zealand.
The batting performance will be the key on who clinches the bilateral series.
Both the teams have won three matches each out of the last five ODIs they played.
Special focus :
All eyes will be on Nahid Rana as, he was the chief wrecker of New Zealand batting spinal cord with a five wicket haul.
Similarly Nick Kelly will be under the spotlight as it was he who fought a lone battle with a sparkling 83 in the last ODI they played.
Spoilsport :
There is a possibility of rain playing the spoilsport. Weather office has predicted that there are 25% chances of drizzle.
Some Trivia
It is the first time that Bangladesh didn’t concede a six in consecutive matches since 2006. It’s also the first time that New Zealand finished their innings without hitting a six in successive matches since 2009.
Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a half century after 13 innings.
A pacer didn’t clinch five wicket haul in 41 ODI matches played across two stadiums in Chattogram.
The teams
In all likelihood Bangladesh will play the following players :
Saif Hassan
Tanzid Hasan
Soumya Sarkar
Najmul Hossain Shanto
Towhid Hridoy
Litton Das (wk)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c)
Rishad Hossain
Shoriful Islam
Taskin Ahmed
Nahid Rana
And as far as visitor New Zealand is concerned, they will be going with :
Henry Nicholls
Nick Kelly
Will Young
Dean Foxcroft
Tom Latham (capt & wk)
Muhammad Abbas
Josh Clarkson
Nathan Smith
Blair Tickner
Will O’Rourke
Jayden Lennox
Adithya Ashok, Dane Cleaver and Ben Lister are the others who are present in the New Zealand dug out.
Debajit Kar is an English Correspondent for StudioX News Canada at studioxnews.ca and en.studioxnews.ca, covering international news, sports, and community affairs. He brings over 25 years of journalism experience across print, digital, television, and radio in India. His career spans roles at Bharat Express, Times Internet, ETV Bharat, Zee Media Corporation, News18 Assam North-East, Hindustan Times, The Statesman, Orissa Post, Frontier TV, All India Radio, and Zee News. A multilingual journalist fluent in English, Hindi, Bangla, and Assamese, he has worked across content writing, editing, production, and sports reporting throughout his distinguished career. He holds a PG Diploma in Journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and a B.Com from Calcutta University. Based in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. Email: journalist.kard57@gmail.com
