Bangladesh vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I at Mount Maunganui: Visitors’ likely XI

Though Bangladesh did not win the first T20I, they might still opt to play the same XI for the next match to not disturb the winning intent of the team.

After a competitive match in the first Twenty20 International (T20I), Bangladesh are all set to seek an equalising victory as they play New Zealand in the second T20I at Mount Maunganui on Friday. New Zealand will be immensely confident playing the second T20I as they have registered four consecutive victories on the tour so far. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will have to get over the defeats and prepare themselves to battle the nerves and keep the series alive, putting in their 100 per cent in the upcoming match and keep the series alive. Senior players will be expected to step up and take responsibilities in order to ensure the victory.

In the previous match, Bangladesh had put up a decent 141 after a terrible performance from the top-order. They were 67 for 5, losing wickets in regular intervals, when Mahmudullah took charge and scored a 47-ball 52 to help his side get to a competitive score. However, their bowling was not consistent and even after reducing New Zealand to 28 for 2, they lost the match. Kane Williamson contributed with an unbeaten 73 along with Colin de Grandhomme, who scored an unbeaten 41 to take their side to victory with 2 overs still remaining.

Full Cricket Scorecard, New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 2nd T20I at Napier

Though they did not win the first T20I, they might still opt to play the same XI for the next match to not disturb the winning intent of the team. Before the match, here is the likely XI for Bangladesh:

Top-order: The top-order has disappointed the most among the Bangladesh cricketers on this tour so far. It continued in the T20Is as well, as the trio of Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes and Sabbir Rahman failed to contribute with significant runs. Kayes was one cricketer who had performed in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and will have to continue that in the second T20I while Tamim and Sabbir must get back into runs in order to help Bangladesh regain some respect. If these three perform up to the expectations, Bangladesh will hardly have to worry about runs on the board.

Middle-order: Bangladesh also have a strong and dependable middle-order which was seen in the first match. Shakib Al Hasan, the backbone of Bangladesh cricket in recent times, contributes invariably both with the bat and ball. He will have to put in all his experience in the game and take up the charges. Soumya Sarkar is the other name in the middle-order who will have to perform in the do-or-die match to retain his spot in the team. Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hosain are the only names who showed some good batting in the first game and will be expected to come back with a similar show in the second. Skipper Mashrafe Mortaza is also there for some final-overs hammering. Nurul Hasan is one player who had impressed in the ODIs with limited scope and can be sent up in the order, somewhere at No. 5 or 6 instead of his No. 9 spot in the previous match.

Bowlers: Though Mortaza is one big name who leads the Bangladesh pace attack, he will have to be consistent with wickets. Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain are the other names who were expected to utilise the conditions well but have disappointed with their game thus far. Shakib will be leading the spin attack while Mosaddek Hossain can bowl a few occasional overs.

Bangladesh likely XI: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman.

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