CT 2017, Match 9, NZ v BAN Preview: Both teams jostling for semis in last group game

New Zealand and Bangladesh haven’t won a single game and yet they stand a chance to go through to the semi-finals. Their group games were marred by the rains and as a result, both have a solitary point for a no result and have registered a loss each. Both teams are after a win to stand a chance to qualify ahead in the competition.

New Zealand’s campaign hasn’t gone according to their plans. After almost getting themselves in a winning position against Australia in their first group game, incessant rain ensured that the game was washed out. The Kiwis then succumbed to an 87-run defeat against the hosts to further jeopardise their Champions Trophy campaign. Because Australia’s game was a wash out too against Bangladesh, Williamson’s men are still in the hunt though if the Australians win against England in the last group game, they will go through. Control the controllable as they say. New Zealand must win this game first and then worry about the other aspects.

Bangladesh is in the exactly same spot. They were lucky to get a point against Australia but they will have to be at their best to give New Zealand a run for their money. Tamim Iqbal’s form has carried them this far but they now need support from other players as well, especially their bowlers. Shakib Al Hasan’s indifferent form with both bat and ball hasn’t helped them at all. This is a big game and all the experienced players of Bangladesh must stand up.

Toss: New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat

Mashrafe Mortaza: We would have liked to bowl anyway. We’ve made two changes, Taskin comes in for Imrul and Mosaddek comes in as well in place of someone. We need to do something with our fast bowling and that’s why we’ve got Taskin to come in. Hopefully the other boys would stand up and do well. We just beat them in Ireland but this is a different ball game. The pitch looks good and should be a good game.

Kane Williamson: We are going to have a bat. Looks like a good surface, pretty dry underneath and would look to put up a good score. We learnt a little from the last game and there is a bit of dry grass even with this weather around. We are going in with the same team. They are all very exciting players, we are backing them all the way and hopefully they would do well for bus. We have four quarter finals and all sides would be looking to go through. Let’s hope we would be able to go in with a strong mindset and do well.

Playing XI:

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Luke Ronchi(w), Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, James Neesham, Corey Anderson, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

Focus will be on:

Martin Guptill

After scoring two consecutive scores in the twenties, Guptill will be desperate to get a big one in this pivotal game. The 30-year old has had an extraordinary two years in limited overs cricket the pinnacle being his magnificent unbeaten 237 in the 2015 World Cup. Guptill has certainly a penchant for big knocks. His skipper recently described him the best ‘white-ball’ cricketer of New Zealand. In both innings so far, the opener has managed to get bright starts but did not kick on, much to the disappointment of his team. He was out both times to a false shot rather than the bowler bowling him out. A big knock in a big game is expected of Guptill.

Tamim Iqbal

The Bangladeshi opener has had a remarkable run in ODIs in the last two years. Tamim has 9 ODI centuries to his name and 5 of them have come since April 2015, a period in which he has averaged 53.19. No wonder Bangladesh’s sharpness in ODI cricket in the recent past has coincided with Tamim’s prolific form. The stylish opener, again, showed outstanding form in the first two games where he recorded scores of 128 and 95. He has matured enough to understand his game and takes his time early on. The wide array shots that he has, Tamim catches up easily towards the latter part of his innings. Being the man in form, all eyes are on him to deliver the goods again in this key game.

Team Combinations

 New Zealand

Despite Ronchi getting out first ball, New Zealand are likely to open with him alongside Guptill. Williamson has had two big scores already and will again hold the key in the middle order along with Ross Taylor. Corey Anderson did well with the ball by picking wickets in the middle overs and will again be a part of the side. Neesham will give him company in the lower middle order with the bat alongside Neil Broom. Santner went for runs in the last game but should find a place in the XI. Milne, Southee and Boult will be the pacemen for the Kiwis

Bangladesh

Bangladesh needs to add an extra bowler in their side at the expense of Imrul Kayes. But it is unlikely that they will do that since they are not confident enough to go in with 6 batsmen in this pressure game. Sarkar, Tamim and Imrul Kayes will form the top order. Mushfiqur and Shakib will take the crucial No. 4 and 5 spots. Sabbir Rahman and Mahmudullah will have to take the responsibility of scoring quick runs at the death. Mortaza, Rubel and Mustafizur form a decent fast bowling attack but would want to pick more wickets early on. Mehedi Hasan will get in as the lone spinner. He might be just only 19 but Mehedi will be a handful against the likes of Anderson and Neesham, who both are left-handers.

Stat Attack:

1 – Number of wins Bangladesh has against New Zealand in ODIs played at neutral venues.

176 – Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza will be playing their 176th ODI which will be the most by a Bangladeshi cricketer. Previous highest was by Mohammad Ashraful who played 175 ODIs.

2 – Wickets required by Tim Southee to overtake Richard Hadlee’s haul of 158 wickets in ODI cricket.