New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

Will the visitors be able to spring a surprise?

Published - 12 Feb 2019, 19:35 IST | Updated - 12 Feb 2019, 19:35 IST

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After the massive upset in the ODI series against India, New Zealand will be taking Bangladesh on in a 3-match ODI series. The visitors never won an ODI match in the country against the hosts and have got their task cut out. This will be the last assignment for the Blackcaps in the 50-over format before the World Cup 2019. They will, of course, play two practice games against India and Windies before they enter into the mega-event.

Bangladesh, though, will play a tri-series after this one which involves Windies and Ireland. Their two World Cup practice games will be against Pakistan and India. Playing in New Zealand will give them a perfect opportunity as the conditions are quite similar to those in England. It won’t be an easy task for Bangladesh to beat the Kiwis at home, especially considering that they’ll look to come back strong after the recent loss.

Pitch and Conditions

The track at Napier is a flat one and it is usually considered that there will be a lot of runs on offer. But, the last time when the Kiwis played India at this venue, the home team was bowled out for just 157 runs. There could be some swing on offer in the first innings. The weather prediction for the match is quite pleasant and there shouldn’t be any interruptions.

Team Combinations

New Zealand

New Zealand has got some issues with their openers which they’ve got to sort as soon as possible. Martin Guptill will return from the back injury and is likely to open the innings with his new partner Henry Nicholls. There is quite some depth in the batting order since there are plenty of all-rounders in the eleven. Matt Henry still seems to be the prefered choice over Tim Southee.

Predicted XI: Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (WK), Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Todd Astle, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.

Bangladesh

In the absence of Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed, the Bangladesh team looks slightly weak. The other players will have to step up and cover the loss. Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das will open the innings. Sarkar, Rahim, Mithun and Mahmudullah will form the middle-order. Depending on the conditions, one between Sabbir Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin will play. Even the visitors have got a fair amount of depth in the batting.

Predicted XI: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman/Mohammad Saifuddin, Rubel Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mustafizur Rahman.