Bangladesh search for first ODI win in New Zealand

NAPIER, FEBRUARY 12 - Bangladesh have never lost to New Zealand in ODIs at home since 2010 while New Zealand has never lost to Bangladesh at their backyard. In their previous ODI, at a neutral venue in Cardiff in 2017, Bangladesh stunned New Zealand with an epic come-from-behind win.

It promises to be an exciting contest. New Zealand themselves have a few holes to plug after their 4-1 series defeat against India. Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, and Tom Latham were among the runs while Trent Boult and Matt Henry had one good outing each during the ODI series against India. Martin Guptill is fit again and is set to open with Henry Nicholls. Colin Munro has been left out of the squad for the first two matches.

How Bangladesh tackle New Zealand's pace attack could have a big say in which way the series swings. If Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das can complement Tamim Iqbal, it will ease the pressure on Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah in the middle overs. Bangladesh pace attack, too, will have to step up. Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, and Mohammad Saifuddin will all have to play key roles, particularly in the slog overs. In the absence of Shakib, there is extra pressure on the inexperienced spinners Mehidy Hasan and Nayeem Hasan.

The home side will be wary of the Napier pitch, having been bowled out for 157 by India, in the previous game here last month. Weather-wise, it is likely to be a pleasant day in McLean Park.

New Zealand (probable): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Henry Nicholls, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 James Neesham, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Todd Astle, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Trent Boult
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Liton Das, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mohammad Mithun, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 10 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 11 Mustafizur Rahman