Bangladesh still searching for maiden away win against New Zealand
New Zealand aim to cap off their successful tour of Ireland with a win against Bangladesh, even while their opponents eye their first win against New Zealand away from home
The Preview by Mohammad Isam
23-May-2017
Match facts
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Start time 10.45 local (0945 GMT)
Start time 10.45 local (0945 GMT)
Big Picture
New Zealand, on account of winning their first three games of the tri-series, have already won the tournament but will look to keep their perfect record in Ireland intact as they play their last game against Bangladesh. In the context of the tournament, the game is a dead rubber, but both teams will look to finish strongly before they move to England for the Champions Trophy.
New Zealand have some of their IPL stars back, having already made their presence felt in the last game against Ireland where Corey Anderson, Matt Henry and Adam Milne all took part in dismantling Ireland by 190 runs. Tom Latham, Luke Ronchi, Ross Taylor and Colin Munro are also in form, having made runs during this tri-series.
Jeetan Patel's addition to their squad means that looking ahead to the Champions Trophy from this point, New Zealand will have an additional spin option. Patel has taken 10 wickets at an average of 35.30 for Warwickshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
Bangladesh will want to get one back at New Zealand, having lost to them in all four ODIs they've played since December last year. The two sides also meet in the final group match in the Champions Trophy, and a win would certainly boost their morale.
Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar have shown good form but Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan are yet to play a significant innings in Ireland. Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain would also have to find a way to get more runs in the slog overs.
Bangladesh's bowling too must prove, especially going into the Champions Trophy, that it doesn't entirely rely on Mustafizur Rahman for the wickets and Shakib Al Hasan for control. Mashrafe Mortaza, Rubel Hossain, Sunzamul Islam and Mehedi Hasan all have to find a way to deal with a higher-ranked opposition in these conditions.
Form guide
New Zealand WWWLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh WLLWL
Bangladesh WLLWL
In the spotlight
Colin Munro blazed 44 off 15 balls against Ireland in their last game, finding his groove with his slogs and switch-hits quite quickly. New Zealand didn't pick him for the Champions Trophy, which means Munro has another chance to make his exclusion look silly.
After being without an ODI fifty for nearly two years, Soumya Sarkar now has scores of 61 and 87 not out in the tri-series. It bodes well for the left-hand opener who has been an iffy selection in ODIs since last year. Another big score would get him best prepared for the Champions Trophy.
Team news
New Zealand included Matt Henry, Adam Milne and Corey Anderson in the XI in their last game, and they are unlikely to make any changes after their 190-run win against Ireland.
New Zealand: (probable) 1 Luke Ronchi (wk), 2 Tom Latham (capt), 3 Neil Broom, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Corey Anderson, 6 Mitchell Santner, 7 Colin Munro, 8 Adam Milne, 9 Scott Kuggeleijn, 10 Ish Sodhi, 11 Matt Henry
Taskin Ahmed, Shafiul Islam and Subashis Roy are options available as replacements for Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain. Imrul Kayes and Nasir Hossain, too, are up for selection if the team management wants to give their batsmen a break.
Bangladesh: (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Sabbir Rahman, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Shakib Al Hasan, 7 Mosaddek Hossain, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 9 Sunzamul Islam, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Mustafizur Rahman
Pitch and conditions
It promises to be a clear day in Dublin with no rain. The side batting first has averaged around 227 in the last five ODIs at the venue, though Bangladesh's 257 for 9 wasn't safe in the last game here, also against New Zealand. So bowling first may be the better choice for the side that wins the toss.
Stats and trivia
- In 16 attempts, Bangladesh have never defeated New Zealand in an ODI outside home
- In New Zealand-Bangladesh ODIs, Ross Taylor has the most runs (663) and most centuries (2)
- Shakib Al Hasan has a chance to lead the wicket-takers' list in New Zealand-Bangladesh ODIs, as he is now tied with Kyle Mills on 33 wickets. The next highest among active players is Rubel Hossain's 19 wickets
Quotes
"Hopefully we can finish off strong. They boys have had a lot of success. It is the last game, so hopefully we can sign off with another good win."
New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry
New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84