Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 1st ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

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The question ahead of Black Caps’ tour of the UAE in October “where are New Zealand?”

New Zealand hadn’t played a single game of international cricket between the months of March and October. Since then, they played Pakistan in all three formats, shortly followed by Sri Lanka and then India in ODIs and T20Is, finishing as recently as Sunday. They now turn their attention to Bangladesh, a side whom the Black Caps will likely have less trouble against than they did against India. However, given the ability Bangladesh possess, New Zealand can’t afford to underestimate them. In a very quick turnaround between matches, New Zealand will have to be on their game very swiftly. Can they get back to winning ways in ODIs?

Bangladesh, ahead of a big tour, have been dealt a huge blow with Shakib Al Hasan ruled out of the ODIs with a fractured finger. It is not only New Zealand coming off a short turnaround, but Bangladesh too, with the Bangladesh Premier League concluding Friday. Tamim Iqbal was absolutely superb in the Final, and he will be a key man along with his most experienced teammates in helping Bangladesh put on a competitive showing. Will they win their first ever ODI in New Zealand?

Also read: Light-hearted New Zealand vs India T20I Series Player Ratings!

Key to a New Zealand win

New Zealand have made a key change to their opening combination (for at least the first two ODIs). Colin Munro has been dropped after another poor showing in the format, with Henry Nicholls set to continue to as opener after occupying that position in the final two ODIs against India. In that series, New Zealand really struggled at the top, which effectively saw Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor play as openers. With the likes of Mashrafe Mortaza and Mustafizur Rahman capable of moving the new ball, the Black Caps need a solid platform from Nicholls and the returning Martin Guptill to enable Williamson and Taylor to come in and play more freely. With big-hitting allrounders to follow, and Bangladesh’s history of poor death bowling, a strong platform is crucial.

Also, can Trent Boult continue on from his brilliant showing in the back-end of the India series? The Indians struggled to handle his swing, and if he gets the ball moving, the Bangladeshis could have their fate sealed too early for their liking. Also, with Matt Henry in excellent touch in his last ODI, the Black Caps need to be ruthless at the top, with Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim two key wickets early that can place immense pressure on Mahmudullah and other hot-and-cold members of the Bangladesh lineup with Shakib missing. Will New Zealand create the luxury of their change bowlers bowling to players trying to get set?

Key to a Bangladesh win

Bangladesh, in their last tour of New Zealand, often started their batting efforts well, only to crumble in a heap. In the second ODI of that tour, they were 105/1 chasing 252, only to be bowled out for 184. In the third ODI, they were 102/0, only to crawl to 236/9. This time around, they need to show they have improved by putting together a complete batting effort that enables them to be competitive. In the absence of Shakib, Tamim Iqbal will be crucial at the top, along with Liton Das, who has shown only glimpses of his brilliance in international cricket so far. With Imrul Kayes perhaps a surprise exclusion, Soumya Sarkar will likely get the nod at three, and has to deliver in setting a platform for the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmdullah to take advantage. Can Bangladesh handle New Zealand’s swing bowlers well early, and then push on?

Also, can the bowlers cause New Zealand further problems at the top? Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh’s inspirational skipper, will be crucial at the top along with Mustafizur Rahman. To get a foothold in the series, the Tigers need early wickets to force New Zealand into the kind of rebuild efforts that were on display against India. However, the challenge will be to maintain the kind of discipline and consistency India did, especially with Shakib missing, so the onus is on the likes of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rubel Hossain (if picked) to maintain the pressure as long as possible. Of course, if Bangladesh choose to start with Mehidy, then getting tight on the singles and building dot-ball pressure early can be crucial to enabling a good start.

Possible Playing 11

Colin Munro is dropped from the squad for the first two games, due to return in the third ODI as Kane Williamson will be rested for that one. Martin Guptill returns, and will partner Henry Nicholls at the top of the order.

New Zealand: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Henry Nicholls, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Colin de Grandhomme, 7. James Neesham, 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Matt Henry, 10. Lockie Ferguson/Todd Astle, 11. Trent Boult

Shakib out is a huge blow for Bangladesh. The ever-frustrating Sabbir Rahman, who had his ban reduced by a month, is back and could line up for the Tigers.

Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Liton Das, 3. Soumya Sarkar, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Mahmudullah, 6. Sabbir Rahman, 7. Mohammad Saifuddin, 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Mashrafe Mortaza (c), 10. Rubel Hossain, 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Dream11 Prediction

• With New Zealand’s top order possessing good records against Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim is likelier to get a shot at a longer innings.
• The same can’t be said of Martin Guptill, who managed just 21 runs in three innings last time Bangladesh toured (including a retired hurt). He is coming off low scores vs India, too, but if you feel this is his time, you can pick him.
• Tamim Iqbal is coming off an outstanding 141* in the BPL Final. Different conditions await, and will look to better his 113 runs in three innings in Bangladesh’s last tour of New Zealand. Also, he scored 684 runs at 85.50 in 2018.
• Kane Williamson has a strong record at Napier, and so too Bangladesh, averaging 51 against them.
• New Zealand is Mahmudullah’s second-most prolific opponent, scoring 501 runs against them at 35, including two centuries.
• Trent Boult could be a handful with the form he’s in. He took 12 wickets in the recent series against India.
• Mustafizur Rahman took four wickets in his two ODIs in his last tour to New Zealand.

Stats and Facts

• New Zealand have never lost an ODI to Bangladesh at home.
• Bangladesh have won the last two ODIs against New Zealand, with the last being an amazing win in the 2017 Champions Trophy.
• Bangladesh have won their last three bilateral ODI series.

Match Prediction

Such a short turnaround without Shakib Al Hasan is a tough proposition for Bangladesh.

I expect them to have some good moments, but New Zealand should prove too good. New Zealand to take a 1-0 series lead.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Light-hearted New Zealand vs India T20I Series Player Ratings!