What is it that we love so much about Bangladesh Cricket? Is it their determination to prove to the world that they are one of the top ICC full-member nations? Or is it their rapid rise that we like? Or is it the fact that we always prefer underdogs. Regardless, Bangladesh embarks on another journey, playing New Zealand down under. They will play 3 ODIs and 3 Tests on this tour.
Now remember, Bangladesh have been tigers in home territory, never losing to New Zealand since 2010, but as for the hosts, they have never lost to Bangladesh ever at home. Given current form too, I wouldn’t expect New Zealand to crumble here. They are playing the 1st ODI at McLean Park, Napier, where New Zealand lost their last ODI, but Bangladesh have lost both their previous ODIs at this ground too.
Match info
- Tournament: Bangladesh tour of New Zealand 2019
- Date: 13th February 2019, 6:30am IST
- Venue: McLean Park, Napier
- Capacity: 10,500+
- Series status: First game of the tour
Form (recent first)
- New Zealand: L W L L L
- Bangladesh: W L W W W
Stats
- Of current New Zealand bowlers, Tim Southee is the highest wicket taker at this ground, that too with just 5 wickets in 10 ODIs.
- New Zealand have won 24 of their 41 ODIs here.
- Of current New Zealand batsmen, Ross Taylor is the highest run scorer at this ground, with 734 runs in 14 games, including 3 fifties and 3 hundreds.
- New Zealand lost their last ODI series to India, 1-4.
New Zealand
Have a look at that stat above of Ross Taylor, couple that with his fine current form and please tell me why you won’t make him your team’s captain? He bats at an average of 81+ at this ground, so he’s my first choice. Another something to remember is that Martin Guptill is fit again and he will be opening with Henry Nicholls, while Colin Munro has been rested for the first 2 ODIs.
The rest of the team remains more-or-less the same, with more bowling options. Tim Southee may get a rest for the likes of Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson. Henry picked up a 4-fer in the last game against India and that rhythm is what would get him a spot in my Dream11 fantasy team. Let’s not forget he’s cheaper too.
Bangladesh
Well, you know what reduces Bangladesh’s chances by half or more? It’s the absence of Shakib al Hasan. He won’t be in New Zealand after recently being named Man of the Tournament at the Bangladesh Premier League 2019, so Bangladesh is crippled to begin with. However, they have another in-form player in Tamim Iqbal, who smashed a title-winning 141* in the BPL 2019 final.
The onus falls on to the next senior-most player Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 62 in the only warm up game on this tour, where the visitors lost by 2 wickets. Another player who scored a decent innings of 72 is Mahmudullah and this guy is a must-pick in your fantasy teams for the entire ODI series.
My fantasy eleven
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