Cricket enthusiasts are poised for an exciting encounter as Bangladesh shapes up to clash with New Zealand in the opening match of the New Zealand tour of Bangladesh, set to commence on Tuesday, November 28. The stage for this gripping contest is Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet, Bangladesh, with the match scheduled for a 9:00 AM IST kickoff. Following the exhilaration of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, both Bangladesh and New Zealand are aiming to make a robust start to their respective campaigns in the first series of the ICC World Test Championship cycle 2023-2025, each vying for those essential WTC points that lay ahead.
The Bangladeshi squad steps into this series without the experience of senior players Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das. The helm has been handed over to Najmul Hossain Shanto, who will be captaining the home side, tasked with navigating the squad through this critical series. On the opposing front, New Zealand’s leadership mantle will be shouldered by the seasoned pacer, Tim Southee. Adding to the visitor’s roster is left-arm pacer Neil Wagner, who has been brought in to cover for the injured Matt Henry. The squad also welcomes the return of Mitchell Santner, marking his red-ball cricket comeback for the Kiwis.
This opening clash will also be a strategic game on a pitch that favors bowlers, with historical data from the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium highlighting an average first innings score of 282 based on the previous ten matches. In light of this, the strategy leaning towards setting a target first might prove advantageous.
From a meteorological perspective, players will contend with 26 degrees Celsius climes coupled with 49% humidity—conditions that may play into the hands of the bowlers further.
As both squads line up, Bangladesh’s playing ensemble includes Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Mehidy Hasan, Nayeem Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Nurul Hasan (wicketkeeper), Zakir Hasan (wicketkeeper), Hasan Mahmud, Hasan Murad, Khaled Ahmed, Shahadat Hossain, Shoriful Islam, and Taijul Islam.
Meanwhile, The New Zealand squad comprises Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Ajaz Patel, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, and captain Tim Southee.
Fantasy cricket enthusiasts may be eyeing a team with Tom Latham as the wicketkeeper, the batting prowess of Kane Willamson, Daryl Mitchell, Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, the all-around abilities of Rachin Ravindra and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and the bowling attack comprising Shoriful Islam, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, and Mitchell Santner. The chosen captain for the fantasy team might be Kane Williamson with Mitchell Santner serving as the vice-captain.
Past encounters present New Zealand with a definitive edge in their Test match record against Bangladesh, with 13 wins out of 17 clashes, a singular victory for Bangladesh, and three draws. Recently, New Zealand has maintained dominance, with four wins in their last five Test matches against the Bangladeshis, showcasing their form with a high score of 715 runs and Bangladesh marking their lowest at 42 runs.
Considering the teams’ historical performances and the squad’s current composition, New Zealand is touted to head into this first test with the favorites’ tag attached. As the cricketing world tunes in, the series promises to regale the fans and mark another chapter in the annals of these nations’ rich cricketing rivalry.
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