ICC World Cup 2019 Match 9, Bangladesh v New Zealand: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Bangladesh’s emphatic victory over South Africa in the former’s first World Cup game put to rest the speculations over their competitiveness at the big stage. This, even after they had made the quarter finals in the last World Cup in 2015 and made the semi-finals in the Champions Trophy 2017, a run that included a win over the team they’re up against next – New Zealand.

The score of 330/6 against South Africa was Bangladesh’s highest in ODI cricket and they way they restricted a strong batting line-up comprising of Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy showed that the Asia Cup finalists have come into the tournament as a well-rounded unit.

Mushfiqur Rahim (78), Shakib Al Hasan (75), and Mahmudullah (46), three of the senior batsmen stood up against the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi after a strong start courtesy Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar. Bangladesh posted 330/6. Mustafizur Rahman (3/57) then led the way with the ball and was helped by the young Mohammad Saifuddin (2/57) and the spin duo of Shakib and Mehidy Hasan.

However, good as the performance might have been Bangladesh will be up against New Zealand, who beat India in a warm-up clash before demolishing Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in their first league game. Both the opponents were dismissed for sub-200 scores, indicating the strength of New Zealand’s bowling attack that comprises of swing bowlers in Trent Boult and Tim Southee – although Southee hasn’t played yet – and out-and-out fast bowlers in Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry. Ish Sodhi provides the wrist-spin option.

The New Zealand batting has been tested, too. Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson scored fifties against India, and the opening duo of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro got half-centuries against Sri Lanka. Tom Blundell, the surprise pick in the squad, proved his mettle with a century in the warm-up against the West Indies. With batsmen and bowlers on both sides up and firing, this could be yet another close contest in the tournament.

Head to head

New Zealand lead the head-to-head tally 24-10 against Bangladesh. At the World Cup Bangladesh are yet to beat New Zealand – they have tasted defeat on all four occasions the teams have clashed. The last time the two sides met in ODIs was in a three-match series in New Zealand, where the hosts swept 3-0.

Key players

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): The Player of the Match in the clash against South Africa, Hasan’s partnership with Rahim in the middle overs helped the lower order to play freely at the death. And his canny left-arm spin accounted for Aiden Markram. He will be a vital cog in the Bangladesh’s middle order.

Kane Williamson (New Zealand): The New Zealand skipper scored back-to-back fifties in the warm-ups and averages a healthy 54.47 against Bangladesh. His ability to play a long innings could help New Zealand chase down a target.

Likely XIs

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Mustafizur Rahman.

New Zealand: Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

Prediction New Zealand’s new-ball bowlers prevent Bangladesh batsmen from getting away and set-up a close encounter.