NZ v BAN, 1st T20I Preview: New Zealand hopes to take their winning momentum into the new year

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New Zealand. (Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)

Getting whitewashed surely isn’t a good feeling. Bangladesh had to deal with the same sort of feeling after New Zealand handed them a 3-0 drubbing in the ODI series. They were partially competent meaning they were only able to show some capability of doing better that hosts New Zealand. The spark was there but they failed to capitalise on the chances.

The tourists will try to move on from the defeat and hope to start the New Year on a fresh note when they meet the hosts at the McLean Park in Napier for the T20I series opener. New Zealand, no doubts start off as the dominant ones. Also, with the influx of new names makes their team more exciting. Bangladesh has also acted and made a couple of changes and can be trusted to pull off surprises. They would surely fancy a better chance in the shortest and the most unpredictable format.

New Zealand:

New Zealand walks in with a few changes in their squad. The first one was more of an unfortunate one as Martin Guptill had to pull out of the series due to a hurt hamstring, an injury he picked in the final ODI. His replacement, the in-form 31-year-old Neil Broom, however, is quite capable of filling his place.

New faces: 

The Central district duo of Tom Bruce and Ben Wheeler also has earned their maiden T20I call-ups. 25-year-old Bruce will be a boost to a hard-hitting arsenal of the team and has proven himself as a dangerous player in the domestic in a short span of time. He would hope for a place in the final XI when Williamson announces the team at the toss tomorrow.

Left-arm pace-bowling all-rounder Wheeler, who was the 12th man during the ODI series, would also hope for a place. Corey Anderson also makes a comeback into the squad after recovering from the persistent back injury. His form would remain as a question as he hasn’t played any domestic cricket since his recovery.

Bowling front:

Ish Sodhi has gained a look in and should try to emulate his recent performances for his domestic side Knights since receiving a cold shoulder after the unsuccessful India tour. Mitchell Santner will be a default selection. They will also not be without the fast bowling spearhead Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Southee has been rested for the entire while Boult has decided to take rest for the opening game. Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry will be the frontline fast bowlers will have Jimmy Neesham and Corey Anderson to fill the seam bowling option.

Predicted XI:

Kane Williamson (C), Neil Broom, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Tom Bruce, Luke Ronchi (wk), Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh has made a couple of changes from the ODI squad with batsman Shuvagata Hom and Taijul Islam coming swapping places with 25-year-old Tanbir Hayder and 19-year-old off spinner Mehedi Hasan. The selectors have clearly gone for experience and depth in the squad which is a good move if they wish to create a reputation in New Zealand.

Men to rely on:

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes and Sabbir Rahman all got a start during the series and will have the batting responsibilities on their shoulders. These three are perhaps the men to watch out for in the batting department. The bounce on the surface will challenge but may also help these aggressive batsmen get going if they settle in.

The X factor:

Bangladesh’s pace line-up is their strength. Mashrafe Mortaza will lead and will have Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed. Both the young subordinates of Mortaza will be a massive threat in this format. Rubel Hossain, also in the squad but it seems highly unlikely he will get a place.

Predicted XI:

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan (WK), Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

StatAttack:

50 – Mashrafe Mortaza will be playing 50th T20I match tomorrow, making him the fifth Bangladesh player to reach the landmark.

6 – McLean Park in Napier will become the sixth venue in New Zealand to host a T20 international and the first international match after three years.

33 – Kane Williamson has scored 967 runs and needs 33 more to achieve the 1,000 runs milestone.

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