When and Where to Watch New Zealand vs Bangladesh, Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, and Pitch Report for 2nd T20I

It is hard to even term it a rivalry. So ruthless is New Zealand’s dominance over Bangladesh in cricketing history, that it could well be termed one of the most lopsided affairs in sports, let alone cricket. They might be known for their jolly behavior but ask Bangladesh, and they will tell about the level of inhospitableness of New Zealand. Having toured on this shore of the world for the first time in 2001, Bangladesh’s belief-shattering streak of losses has swollen to 30 across all formats (9 Tests, 16 ODIs, and 5 T20Is).

In their most recent mission in the land of Kiwis, Bangladesh has not been able to do anything more than adding 4 more losses to their already-abysmal record. Perhaps, even the thought of them winning against the Black Caps in their land needs courage, and if they still had any of it left after being clean-swept in the ODIs 0-3, New Zealand just routinely came out to decimate a weakened and depleted opposition by a hefty 66-run margin – hefty in terms of even a 50-over game, forget T20I – at the Seddon Park (on 28th March).

In the previous game, their stocks were historically low not only owing to how they have fared against their rivals but in the fact that not once since August 4th, 2006 have they taken the field with Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Shakib Al Hasan all missing from their eleven. Of these three, Iqbal and Shakib were not a part of their squad, whereas a painful back of Rahim kept him out of participation too.

As Bangladesh has taken one thrashing after another while touring New Zealand over two decades, both the sides’ faces have changed, although the Tigers are yet in search of finding a unit that could be a match to the Kiwis, if not better than them.

Of course, in the given period, different players have stood up to deliver victories for New Zealand, and in the previous game, it was the man in a purple patch, Devon Conway, and debutant, Will Young. On a batting paradise, both Conway (unbeaten 92 from 52) and Young (53 from 30) made rough business for the opponent bowlers, marauding them at will during their 105-run stand in only 60 deliveries for the third wicket.

On either side of their blitzkrieg were two more brisk partnerships: Conway-Guptill added 52 from 38 and Conway-Phillips, as many in merely 20 deliveries. If it all there was anyone for Bangladesh who managed a performance to remember, it was their debutant Nasum Ahmed, who returned with 2/30 from his quota. In a rather contrasting start to his career, Shoriful Islam, unlike his debut-partner Ahmed, ended up with an unwanted record of the most expensive figures on debut for a Bangladesh bowler.

Out in unlikely pursuit of 211, Bangladesh crumbled like a pack of cards, unable to tackle the guile of Ish Sodhi, who returned with 4/28. It might have been a chance for him to add one more to his solitary T20I fifer, although a late charge in vain from Afif Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin denied him. But that is all it was worth stopping as New Zealand continues to remain the firmest of favorites in the coming games. Can Bangladesh do a miracle?

Pitch and conditions

In three T20Is at the McLean Park thus far, the average score has been 185 with the team chasing emerging victoriously twice. However, the venue has fared well for teams defending if the domestic record is anything to go by (10 wins in 15 games). The last time these two sides met at the venue (in January 2017), Bangladesh managed an under-par 141/8 after batting first. Skipper Kane Williamson’s 73 from 55 ensured that New Zealand finished the chase with 6 wickets and 2 overs to spare.

Playing combination for NZ vs BAN

New Zealand 

Keeping aside any injury concerns, there is no good reason for New Zealand to change.

Predicted XI: Martin Guptill, Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips (WK), Will Young, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee (C), Lockie Ferguson, Hamish Benett, Ish Sodhi

Bangladesh 

Bangladesh sorely missed the presence of their mainstays. As if the absence of Shakib al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal was not enough, Mushfiqur Rahim sat out due to injury too, with Liton Das holding the gloves. If Rahim regains fitness, which is unlikely, he will walk in straight.

Predicted XI: Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun/Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mahmudullah (C), Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

NZ vs BAN Head-to-Head

Played – 8 | New Zealand – 8 | Bangladesh – 0

NZ vs BAN Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 6:30 AM IST

Live Streaming – FanCode