Bangladesh are keen to avoid a series defeat against New Zealand for the first time since 2008 as they take on the visitors for the third and final ODI tomorrow (Tuesday) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
The match which starts at 2 PM will be aired live on T Sports and Gazi TV.
The first match was washed out due to heavy rain but the Kiwis led the side 1-0, thanks to their 86-run victory in the second game. That was their first ODI victory on Bangladesh soil after 15 years.
Having won an ODI series by 2-1 in 2008, New Zealand tasted 4-0 defeat in five-match series in 2010 and were swept in three-match series in 2013 at the hands of Bangladesh.
The latest victory that snapped the Black Caps’ seven-match losing streak in Bangladesh came through a determined performance from their batters.
Despite being slumped to 36-3, New Zealand posted a challenging 254 before being all out in 49.2 overs but their bowlers, led by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi ran through Bangladesh batting line up and bundled them out of 168 in 41.1 overs.
Sodhi who contributed 35 with the willow, became the first New Zealand spinner to take a six-wicket haul in ODIs. He finished with his career-best 6-39 to lead the side to the victory.
The second game was also eventful due to Sodhi. Pacer Hasan Mahmud ran him out at non-striker’s end, which was considered as Mankad. However captain Liton Das called him back and gave him another opportunity to bat.
Sodhi, who showed frustration at being mankaded initially, later praised Bangladesh’s sportsmanship.
His mankad incident indeed hardly had any impact in the game as Bangladesh batters came up with another dismal show. Senior batter Mahmudullah Riyad, returned to the side after six months, made highest 49 and another veteran Tamim Iqbal who also came back to the side after recovering from this back issue, scored 44.
However Bangladesh will field a different team in the third ODI as the likes of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam all return after being given a break from the first two matches. But it is unlikely that Taskin will play the match as he feels slight illness, the team management said.
Liton Das who was the captain in the first two matches, opener Tamim Iqbal were rested. The return of the almost first choice squad, barring Shakib Al Hasan, Liton and Tamim, gave Bangladesh a boost to draw the series by winning the third game.
Najmul Hossain Shanto however was chosen as captain to lead the side. Shanto who led the side in the different aged level team also excited to show his credential as captain and thereby help the side to win the game to avoid the series defeat.
“It is not a challenge but a matter to enjoy. I am really feeling good for the opportunity and now the way our team is at the moment with the World Cup ahead,” Shanto said here today.
“To be honest if we can end the game on a good note our team will be in a good shape and if I can end the game on a good note it will be helpful for me as well.”
Squad:
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain.
New Zealand: Lockie Ferguson (captain), Finn Allen, Chad Bowes, Will Young, Tom Blundell, Dean Foxcroft, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Cole McConchie, Dane Cleaver, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Trent Boult. (BSS)
