Teams Status
Bangladesh
Fresh from annihilating Australia 4-1 in a historic home series, Bangladesh now host the other side from Down Under in what can appear to be a similar sort of challenge.
Before the recent series win, Bangladesh had never beaten Australia in a T20I match, let alone four. Bangladesh have never beaten New Zealand over 20 overs and now get five tries to get off the mark.
Furthermore, Bangladesh will have the advantage of facing a New Zealand side that is severely weakened to the extent that none of its touring players will be featuring in the T20 World Cup later this year. The Australia side they beat were similarly depleted.
While the Kiwis are almost unrecognizable, Bangladesh are getting back star batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das, without whom they thrashed the Aussies earlier this month.
Legspinner Aminul Islam has also been recalled but Mohammad Mithun has been dropped.
New Zealand
There is a long list of regulars that are not part of this New Zealand side, which is essentially a New Zealand A side if you think about it.
Some regulars such as Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, and Colin Munro are currently playing the Caribbean Premier League, whereas others such as captain Kane Williamson are preparing for the restart of the Indian Premier League. Lockie Ferguson and Finn Allen have contracted Covid, while coach Gary Stead has taken a timeout ahead of the business end of the season.
In their absence, several newbies are likely to get chance, including Rachin Ravindra, Cole McConchie, and Ben Sears. The trio are new to this stage and face baptism of fire in Dhaka but are talented nonetheless and have been tipped for a long and fruitful future with the seniors.
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