NZ v BAN, 3rd T20I, Preview: Visitors to play for pride as hosts aim whitewash

New Zealand have come out all guns blazing while hosting Bangladesh this season. They thoroughly outplayed the visitors by whitewashing them 3-0 in the ODI series. Now beckons a chance to wrap up the T20 series with a clean sweep as well. Bangladesh were no match for the Kiwis in the first two T20Is, or in the entire tour thus far for that matter. They have struggled against the extra bounce and pace off the deck. Their bowling has been largely inconsistent.

For the Kiwis, there has always been one player from the team who has held their hand up and taken the responsibility. On the contrary, Bangladesh have been seen wanting to get any such player to do that for them. Colin Munro’s run riot blew away the visitors in the previous match. Coming into the third T20I at Mount Maunganui, expect things to go no different.

New Zealand will be the absolute favorites riding sky high on confidence. They have the liberty to try out a few new players. Injury struck Bangla tigers will have nothing but pride at stake as they take the field for the final limited-overs match of the tour where they are yet to register a win.

Team News

New Zealand

Having won the series already, the Black Caps management must be a very happy group. The morale is sky high and they will want to get an outright series win. However, they will have it in mind to rest a few key players ahead of the Test series. Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult have been a part of the team for a major part this season and are likely to be rested.

Colin de Grandhomme might also get a breather before the Test series. Wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell is likely to make his debut in place of injured Luke Ronchi. Blundell recently helped his domestic side Wellington lift the Super Smash Trophy. George worker might play in place of Grandhomme.

Bangladesh

While they have nothing left to lose, Bangladesh might spring up a surprise in the final game. They might be tempted to rest Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal in a bid to help the senior players prepare for the Tests.

The series has been the worst for Mashrafe Mortaza as a skipper and he would want to finish on a winning note. The form of Soumya Sarkar remains a key concern. Sarkar showed glimpses of form in the previous match, which would help the team management get a sigh of relief.

Match Facts

Venue: Mount Maunganui

Time: 1500 (local); 0200 (GMT); 0730 (IST)

Probable XI

New Zealand

Kane Williamson (C), Colin Munro, George Worker, Corey Anderson, Tom Bruce, Jimmy Neesham, Tom Blundell (wk), Matt Henry, Ben Wheeler, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

StAttack

• Bangladesh have lost their 5 last T20 internationals

• Bangladesh have never beaten New Zealand in T20Is. They have faced each other 6 times

• Bangladesh have posted a total over 150 against New Zealand in T20Is just once. They had posted 189/9 in a match at Dhaka in 2013. Their next best effort is 148, that came in this series.