New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 1st Test, Preview: Injury-hit Tigers strive for salvation after ODI debacle

Bangladesh are yet to win a Test against the Kiwis.

Published - 27 Feb 2019, 14:59 IST | Updated - 27 Feb 2019, 14:59 IST

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Bangladesh had a horrendous outing in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand and lost it 0-3. In all the encounters, the Tigers bowlers’ came under the pump. Top order batting was also a major issue to a significant extent. Apart from a couple of half-centuries from Mohammad Mithun and Sabbir Rahman’s maiden ODI century in Dunedin, the visitors turned out to be disappointing.

To add to their woes, they also encountered a few injury concerns. Mithun suffered a hamstring injury ahead of the third contest at the University Oval. Mushfiqur Rahim also played the game with a side strain. Bangladesh also didn’t have Shakib Al Hasan in their ranks due to an injury that he developed playing for Dhaka Dynamites in the final of this edition’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

The veteran won’t be a part of the upcoming two-match Test series as well. The opening Test is scheduled to be played tomorrow at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. In Shakib’s absence, Mahmudullah Riyad would shoulder the leadership mantle. The experienced all-rounder would have a massive task in hand as Bangladesh have lost all their previous seven matches in the country.

Team Combination

New Zealand

Jeet Raval and Tom Latham are the openers with Kiwis’ skipper Kane Williamson at number three. The onus would be on Ross Taylor in the middle-order. Nicholls and Watling would also have their role to play. Colin de Grandhomme is the genuine all-rounder. The Black Caps will have three specialist pacers in Boult, Wagner and Southee. Leg-spinner Todd Astle comes in place of Ajaz Patel.

Probable XI

Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (WK), Colin de Grnadhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult

Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal and Shadman Islam are the opening pair with the consistent Mominul Haque to follow. Mithun and Mahmudullah need to shepherd the middle-order. Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar would also want to churn out some substantial scores. Mehidy Hasan is the lone spin-bowling option. Mustafizur Rahman will lead the pace attack with Abu Jayed Rahi and Khaled Ahmed.

Probable XI

Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah (C), Liton Das (WK), Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Khaled Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Mustafizur Rahman

Focus will be on

Kane Williamson- New Zealand

The Tauranga-born right-hander has been getting decent scores under his belt, but he hasn’t been able to convert any of them. One could see the effort from the 28-year-old for getting his form back. In Test cricket, the experienced campaigner notched some impressive knocks against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in recent times and dismissing him won’t be a walk in the park for Bangladesh.

Tamim Iqbal- Bangladesh

After the masterclass in the BPL final against the Dynamites, the southpaw has entered into the slump. In the three-match ODI series, he could only muster 10 runs. Nevertheless, the left-hander did well in the warm-up match in Lincoln, having scored 45 runs. Being Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer in the format, a lot would be expected of the 29-year-old from Chittagong.