Match Preview: NZ vs BAN, 1st ODI – New Zealand Kick-off ICC Super League Campaign In Dunedin Against Bangladesh

NZ vs BAN 1st ODI Match Preview: Dunedin’s University Oval ground will play host as New Zealand begin their ICC ODI Super League campaign on Saturday (March 20) against Bangladesh. The 2019 World Cup runners-up will kickstart their journey towards the next edition of the quadrennial event in India in 2023 against the Asian rivals. […]
 
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Match Preview: NZ vs BAN, 1st ODI – New Zealand Kick-off ICC Super League Campaign In Dunedin Against Bangladesh

NZ vs BAN 1st ODI Match Preview: 

Dunedin’s University Oval ground will play host as New Zealand begin their ICC ODI Super League campaign on Saturday (March 20) against Bangladesh. The 2019 World Cup runners-up will kickstart their journey towards the next edition of the quadrennial event in India in 2023 against the Asian rivals.

New Zealand are a force to be reckoned with in the 50-over format, where they have suffered only one loss since succumbing to a flawed boundary count law at the marquee final at Lord’s against England. The Kiwis have won 3 off their 4  ODI matches, including a standalone defeat after the World Cup.

Match Preview: NZ vs BAN, 1st ODI – New Zealand Kick-off ICC Super League Campaign In Dunedin Against Bangladesh

New Zealand will play Bangladesh in their ICC Super League campaign opener.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, have clinched victories in 6 of their 9 ODIs played since the last World Cup, including a 3-0 whitewash of West Indies at home recently. The visitors, however, will start off the series with massive odds against an opponent they have never beaten away in ODIs. Bangladesh have lost all their previous 13 matches against New Zealand in New Zealand in the 50-over version.

But the Tamim Iqbal led side may feel inspired with World Cup qualification points up for grabs, with New Zealand also set to miss two of their batting stalwarts. Regular skipper Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the entire three-match series with an elbow injury, while experienced Ross Taylor won’t be playing the opening one-dayer due to “a small tear in his left hamstring”.

The hosts, though, will still back themselves to come out triumphant given their squad depth with the likes of Martin Guptill, Jimmy Neesham, stand-in captain Tom Latham, pace trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson around.

Match Preview: NZ vs BAN, 1st ODI – New Zealand Kick-off ICC Super League Campaign In Dunedin Against Bangladesh

Also Read: NZ vs BAN: Ross Taylor To Miss The First ODI Against Bangladesh

The visitors, who will be missing their stalwart Shakib Al Hasan due to injury, will depend a lot on skipper Iqbal and experienced middle-order players such as Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah to stand-up to the Kiwi challenge and hope that young talents like Soumya Sarkar, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan will provide them able support.

Team News for NZ vs BAN 1st ODI

With Williamson and Taylor out (for the first ODI), focus will be on young middle-order aspirants like Mark Chapman (brought in as cover for Taylor), Will Young. There is a possibility that opener Henry Nicholls could drop down to the middle-order, with Devon Conway making a potential debut at the top.

Probable Playing XIs for NZ vs BAN 1st ODI

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham (C/wk), Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

Bangladesh’s biggest challenge in terms of their playing XI will be to fill the massive void of Shakib against a very strong opposition. The visitors will want youngsters like Mosaddek Hossain and Najmul Hasan Shanto to pull up their socks and perform well.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (c), Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

Pitch and conditions for NZ vs BAN 1st ODI

The surface at the University Oval in Dunedin has generally favoured the batsmen in ODIs. New Zealand have averaged 38.92 with the bat in their 8 previous ODIs at the venue, besides scoring at 6.22 runs per over.

Match Timings for NZ vs BAN 1st ODI

The first ODI between New Zealand and Bangladesh is scheduled to kickstart on Saturday (March 20) at 11:00 am local time (3:30 am IST).

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