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Bangladesh vs New Zealand, 2nd Test preview and predictions: Will Kiwis make it 8-0 in visitors’ forgettable tour?

New Zealand will be firm favourites when they take field tomorrow at Hagley Oval.

New Zealand have won their last three Tests © AFP
New Zealand have won their last three Tests © AFP

Things do not look very bright for Bangladesh as they take field at Christchurch for their final match of the disastrous New Zealand tour. After being whitewashed 0-3 in each of the ODI and T20I series, they lost the first Test at Wellington despite scoring 595 for 7 in the first innings. Shakib Al Hasan (217) and Mushfiqur Rahim (159) both batted brilliantly, but it all went downhill from there. Set 217 to win in quick time, New Zealand were ably shepherded by Kane Williamson, who remained unbeaten with an unbeaten 90-ball 104. Bangladesh’s case was further hampered by injuries to both Mushfiqur and Imrul Kayes during the Test. Neither man will play at Christchurch, nor will Mominul Haque.

The injuries will lead to several things. Imrul will, in all probability, be replaced by Soumya Sarkar at the top for the first time. Mominul has been the most consistent of all Bangladesh batsmen of late, and will probably be replaced by uncapped Nazmul Hossain. Nurul Hasan, also expected to make his debut, will replace Mushfiqur behind the stumps. Tamim Iqbal, already burdened with the company of an unaccustomed opening partner and a debutant No. 3, will have the added burden of becoming Bangladesh’s ninth Test captain as Mushfiqur’s replacement. Thankfully, Bangladesh’s bowling attack looks fine.

Full Cricket Scorecard: Bangladesh vs New Zealand, 2nd Test Christchurch

There is no such problem for New Zealand. Williamson played two brilliant innings, and was supported well by Ross Taylor. Tom Latham got a big hundred, while Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Neil Wagner were all among wickets. If BJ Watling takes 2 catches off Southee, they will also become New Zealand’s leading bowler-wicketkeeper combination in Test cricket, surpassing Richard Hadlee and Ian Smith.

The pitch is expected to assist bowlers, mostly seamers. A lot will depend on how opening batsmen from both sides handle their opposition new-ball bowlers. Unfortunately for Bangladesh, their top-order has taken serious jolts after the triple-injuries. A lot will depend on Tamim himself along with Mahmudullah, and as always, Shakib Al Hasan. Having stacked their batting line-up till No. 8, New Zealand are at no real risk if they survive the trio of Subhasis Roy, Taskin Ahmed, and Kamrul Islam Rabbi. Bangladesh do have an excellent spin pair in Shakib and Mehedi Hasan Riaz, but they may not be as useful in these conditions as they were back home earlier this winter.

All in all, New Zealand will be firm favourites when they take field tomorrow at Hagley Oval. The occasion will be particularly special for Taylor, who is 62 short of 6,000 Test runs and perhaps more significantly, one Test hundred behind Martin Crowe’s tally of 17 — the current New Zealand record. 

Squads:


New Zealand:
 Kane Williamson (c) , BJ Watling (wk), Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Trent Boult, Dean Brownlie, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (c), Nurul Hasan (wk), Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed, Subashis Roy.

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