Published: Dec 28, 2016, 01:28 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 28, 2016, 01:28 PM (IST)
After a disheartening defeat at Christchurch, Bangladesh will be eyeing to make a comeback in the second encounter against New Zealand, at Nelson on Thursday. They suffered a 77-run defeat at Christchurch, and this is their final chance to remain alive in the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be eyeing to seal the series and look for a whitewash further. New Zealand did well in the first game to get off to a winning start. Their batting unit did a good job, with Tom Latham scoring a stunning 137.
Bangladesh have suffered a heavy blow, as their wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Rahim has been reported to miss both ODI and Twenty20 International (T20I) series. Rahim was retired hurt in the first game and had to leave the field mid-way while batting on 42. Haturusingha was quoted in a report from ESPNCricinfo: “If Mushfiqur was here, we would have had more options in selection. [Hasan] is coming in, and he is capable as anyone with the bat. He hasn’t played much international cricket, but we are confident he can do the job.”
Mehedi will replace Rahim in the next game, as Bangladesh will have some serious spot to fill. Their bowling unit did well to get rid of Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson early on in the innings and continued to chip wicket at regular intervals. But they ran out of options in putting brakes on Latham’s splendid run and Colin Munro’s 87-run cameo. The duo stitched a match-winning partnership of 158 runs and helped New Zealand in posting a massive total of 341 runs.
Chasing such a massive target is never an easy task, but Bangladesh had the firepower in creating an upset with the pitch being conducive for batting. Their openers played out the lethal new ball pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee with immense caution. But Jimmy Neesham inflicted massive damage with the new ball and chipped in with key wickets of Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah in quick succession. Bangladesh were in all sorts of trouble, but Shakib Al Hasan, Rahim and Mosaddek Hossain did well and put up a strong fight.
Shakib was outstanding with the ball as well as with the bat. He picked three wickets and top-scored with 59 runs to his name, while Mosaddek contributed with an unbeaten fifty. They have the ingredients to succeed. With the surface being a sporty one for the first game, one can expect similar pitch for the next contest as well. Mashrafe Mortaza-led Bangladesh side have a mountain to climb at Nelson.
For New Zealand, their top order will be the one to watch out for, especially Martin Guptill, who is known to take the game away with his maverick approach. Latham will look to continue his good form and get his team to an ideal start once again. New Zealand have an explosive batting with some serious depth and stability. The likes of Neesham, Munro, Mitchell Santner and Luke Ronchi can garner some quick runs in no time. Bangladesh bowlers have a huge challenge in containing the explosive New Zealand batting.
Bangladesh top order will hold the key in this crucial encounter. Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah are the backbone of this batting line-up, and their success at the top will empower the rest of the batting line-up. Expect a thrilling encounter as Bangladesh battle for survival, while New Zealand fight for the series.
Squads:
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehdi Hasan, Subashis Roy, Tanveer Haider.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson(c), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee.
