New Zealand will take on Bangladesh in the second T20 International of three-match series in McLean Park, Napier on Tuesday, March 30.
A young New Zealand side started the T20I series with a convincing win over Bangladesh as they beat the visitors by 66 runs at Seddon Park on Sunday. The hosts put on a big total of 210-3 in 20 overs and had no difficulty restricting the opponent under 150.
Devon Conway once again led the batting unit of the hosts as he put on a display of his extraordinary range in his knock of 92* off 52 deliveries. Conway hit 11 fours and three sixes in this magnificent innings.
On his T20I debut, Will Young played an impressive knock of 53 off 30 balls, smashing four sixes in his knock. A 105-run third wicket partnership between Conway and Young took the game away from Bangladesh. Glenn Phillips, another talented batsman, provided a late blitz with his 24* off 10 deliveries as the hosts made full use of short square boundaries.
Chasing a mammoth target of 211, Bangladesh started off well with 39-1 on the board in 4.1 overs. But the visitors lost four wickets in the powerplay and were reduced to 6 for 59 at the 8-over mark. New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi returned with the best figures of 4 for 28 on the day while Lockie Ferguson did what he does best – bowling express pace and bamboozling batsmen. Ferguson conceded 25 runs and dismissed Bangladesh’s two best batsmen of the match, Naim and Afif Hossain.
One positive for Bangladesh, though, was Afif Hossain. The 21-year-old left-hander from Khulna looked at ease for a major part of his innings. Hossain scored 45 runs off 33 balls and put on a 63-run partnership with Saifuddin for the seventh wicket.
The visitors will be hoping for a quick turnaround in the second match of the series in McLean Park while the hosts will look to continue their domination.
Key Players
Devon Conway will once again have all eyes on him. The dashing left-hander is enjoying an incredible run of form. In his short T20 career, Conway has amassed 458 runs in 10 innings for New Zealand at an outstanding average of 65.42 and strike rate of 150.65 with the best of 99 not-out. After scoring two unbeaten nineties in T20Is, Conway will be in the spotlight again.
Lockie Ferguson again showed in the first match why he is rated so highly. The express pacer bowled fast and hurried the Bangladesh batsmen. Ferguson has 23 wickets in 12 innings at an economy of under 7 to his name. Ferguson’s ability to bowl fast and hit hard lengths with great control makes him a very threatening bowler to face.
Martin Guptill has been a match-winner for New Zealand in the last few years and will be eager to get his team off to a flying start yet again. H got starts in the ODI series and will be the key player at the top of the order.
Afif Hossain was the bright light for Bangladesh in an otherwise forgettable first match encounter. The power hitter scored 45 off 33 when the team was staring at massive defeat. The youngster seemed to have a strong base for power-hitting and all the skillset to make the finisher’s spot his own.
Mohammad Naim, the southpaw, has been a consistent run-getter in the List A cricket. The attacking opener likes to dominate bowlers from the get-go. The raw talent is there to see for everyone, and true to his game, Naim got off the blocks quickly, scoring 27 off 18 deliveries in the first T20I. He will be looking to prove his mettle against a strong bowling unit yet again.
Prediction
McLean Park is usually a very batting-friendly wicket so expect another big score on the board if New Zealand bats first. The track should favour the attacking approach of the Black Caps. The hosts do not seem to have any major holes in the side for this series and will be heading into the match as the firm favourites. Whether New Zealand gives Adam Milne a chance and strengthens the bowling attack is the only question.
Bangladesh have plenty of things to ponder, including fretting over the fitness of Mushfiqur Rahim. The visitors’ bowling attack was taken apart in the first match, and bringing Taskin Ahmed in should be a no-brainer. Mustafizur Rahman might be the player to make way.
Bangladesh will need to pull off a complete team performance to propel themselves over the line. The 31-match losing streak in New Zealand is staring at them, and they need nothing short of a miracle to get over the line in the upcoming game to stay afloat in the series.
