Bangladesh are looking to secure their first ODI victory on New Zealand soil when they take on the hosts in three-match series opener on Sunday at University of Otago Oval in Dunedin.
The match starts at 4 AM (Bangladesh Time) and will be aired live on Gazi TV and T Sports.
Bangladesh were win-less on New Zealand soil before their epic Test victory in Mount Maunganui last year but they are yet to snap their losing streak in ODI and T20Is. In the next two weeks, they will get the chance to break the shackle in those two formats.
The three-match ODI series in fact would decide how the things pan out for them. Bangladesh so far lost all 16 ODIs against New Zealand at their soil but overall the ODI stat is not so disrespectful for Bangladesh. Out of the 42 matches between the two sides, Bangladesh won 10 and lost 31 while the rest of the match ended in a no result.
Even Bangladesh were invincible against New Zealand at own den, till New Zealand broke the dominance in this year just ahead of the World Cup.
In that three-match ODI series on Bangladesh`s backyard, New Zealand won it by 2-0, to register their first series victory and first ODI victory since 2008.
Now it`s the turn for Bangladesh to end a painful streak. Bangladesh though had a disastrous World Cup campaign, the expectation is still high to win their first ODI victory on New Zealand soil.
Even without the key players like Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Bangladesh looked confident to achieve the goal.
The confidence stemmed from their Test victory against New Zealand at home den as they secured a victory on a good pitch without the key players.
They fell on to their own trap as their plan to rip through New Zealand on a rank turner in Mirpur backfired though to deny them the historical Test series victory.
Bangladesh lacked skill to thrive on sporting wicket, a thing that was evidenced in their World Cup flop. But Bangladesh are used to do well, when they start well. The Tigers definitely would want to have to good start, be it batting or bowling. However to deal with New Zealand`s windy and chilly condition will be key.
"The weather has been cold as we expected here. We are trying to cope with it," said leg-spin allrounder Rishad Hossain who played a key role in Bangladesh`s 26-run win against New Zealand XI in their lone practice match ahead of ODI series.
"During the practice match, the condition was not in our mind and head. We are just trying to play our own game. We tried to keep us warm."
He said the victory would give them some confidence in the ODI series.
"Though it was a practice game, still a win is always a confidence booster. Hopefully it will make us upbeat going into the first ODI."
Squad
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice Captain), Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain, Rakibul Hasan
New Zealand: Tom Latham (Captain), Adi Ashok (games 2 & 3), Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Will O`Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi (game 1), Will Young
