The confident New Zealand will have to be careful of Bangladeshi spinners in Friday’s match against Bangladesh on the slow pitch of Chapok to further strengthen its position in the World Cup. New Zealand, India and Pakistan have four points each but in terms of run rate Kiwi team is ahead, after winning this match their position will become stronger. New Zealand’s offensive has become stronger with the arrival of New Zealand’s regular captain Kane Williamson and fast bowler Tim Southee. Both players could not play against England and Neatherland and Tom Latham was captained in place of Williamson.
New Zealand and Bangladesh match today
New Zealand’s regular captain Kane Williamson, who has been out of action for two consecutive matches, can play in this match. New Zealand coach Gary Steed said that Williamson has now recovered from an ACL injury and Saudi is now fit after thumb surgery.
However, there will be a difficult selection because Williamson’s place has been taken. Rachin Ravindra, who came to play at number three, has made a century and a house entry. Now dropping him from the team will be a very difficult decision for the New Zealand team.
Top order batsman Will Young, Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell have also performed brilliantly though New Zealand will need a lot of runs on the pitch of M.A. Chidambaram Stadium because in the match played between India and Australia on Sunday, the pitch was getting turn, in such a situation the role of spinners becomes important.
Despite losing to England in the last match, Bangladesh’s spinners can prove to be its strength. Captain Shakib Al Hasan, Mehndi Hasan and Mehndi Hasan Miraj have taken 11 wickets in both matches. They will be expected to repeat this performance.
New Zealand also has Mitchell Santner, who has taken the maximum of 7 wickets in this World Cup. New Zealand will expect a lot from him to give initial shocks to Bangladesh so that Bangladesh does not get a chance to recover.
He has another option in the form of a spinner. Rachin Ravindra is there but after the return of New Zealand’s regular captain Kane Williamson to the team, there is a question mark on his place. If he plays in the team, then the Kiwi team will benefit a lot from his presence on this pitch.
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Bangladesh’s strength is spinner bowling
Spinners will play an important role on this pitch of MA Chidambaram Stadium. New Zealand will have to be careful of Bangladeshi spinners in this match as this turning pitch is suitable for spinners and the strength of Bangladesh’s bowling is spinning bowling. New Zealand will have a lot of hope from its opener batsmen to get a good start.
Bangladesh will also hope for better performance from its senior batsmen Sakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Liton Das and Nazmul Shanti. New Zealand has the upper hand in fast bowling, with bowlers like Trent Boult, Mark Henry and Lockie Ferguson. Due to IPL, they have good knowledge of the conditions will know here.
New Zealand probable XI
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson(c), Tom Latham(wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Mark Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult.
Bangladesh probable XI
Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam.
New Zealand vs Bangladesh match today: When, where and How to watch
the New Zealand vs Bangladesh match will be live on Indian television via Star Sports Channels. Indian viewers can also enjoy free live streaming of these matches on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website. The match will start live from M. A. Chidambaram Stadium at 2:00 p.m.