Bangladesh and New Zealand’s Last-Minute World Cup Preparations – What to Expect

Bangladesh and New Zealand prepare to face off in their first One Day International (ODI) series in Bangladesh. This series plays a crucial test for both teams. Right before the WC this series serves as a critical warm-up preparation. Let’s discuss the key aspects of this series, including team compositions to understand their preparation before the World Cup.

New Zealand has only a fraction of their World Cup-bound players to Bangladesh. This showcases the importance of analyzing their benched players on the WC’s home condition. The Kiwi squad includes Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, and Will Young.

Trent Boult’s recent return to ODIs, following his appearance against England, earned him a spot in New Zealand’s World Cup squad. Rachin Ravindra has been impressive as an all-rounder in 2023, with 11 wickets and a batting average of 29.83. Ish Sodhi, with seven wickets in nine games this year, is another valuable addition to the team. Will Young stand as the second-highest scorer in ODIs for New Zealand in 2023?

Notably, Lockie Ferguson, who has limited experience as a captain, takes charge of the team in this series. This decision adds an interesting dimension to New Zealand’s approach.

The New Zealand squad also features some relatively unknown faces. Dean Foxcroft is the only uncapped player, while Dane Cleaver has only one ODI appearance to his name. The rest of the squad members have been actively involved in ODIs throughout the year. The mix of experienced players and emerging talents is a reflection of New Zealand’s strategy to assess their backup options before the World Cup.

On the other hand, Bangladesh rested several key players from their World Cup squad. This includes captain Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. However, veterans like Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah is there to strengthen the team.

Tamim Iqbal, who reversed his retirement decision in July, has recovered from injuries that kept him out of the Asia Cup. His experience will be valuable as Bangladesh aims to fine-tune its World Cup squad.

Bangladesh has also introduced some fresh faces, including wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan and the uncapped trio of Zakir Hasan, Rishad Hossain, and Khaled Ahmed. The most surprising inclusion is Soumya Sarkar, who returns to the ODI setup after a two-and-a-half-year absence. His performance will be closely watched as he seeks to make a mark.

Traditionally, bilateral ODI series often lack significant relevance. However, this series is different, mainly due to its timing just ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Both teams view this as an opportunity to assess their backup players and address any gaps in their World Cup squads.

For New Zealand, the availability of Tim Southee remains a question mark due to an injury sustained against England. While he undergoes surgery, New Zealand hopes for a quick recovery to have him in the World Cup lineup.

Bangladesh, too, faces concerns with injuries to Najmul Hossain Shanto and Ebadot Hossain. Shanto might return in time for the World Cup, but Ebadot’s absence for an extended period leaves a significant gap in the pace department.

Pitch conditions in Dhaka could also influence the series’ outcome. While Shere Bangla National Stadium has been known for its spin-friendly tracks, recent evidence suggests that it may offer a bit of pace and bounce. This change in character, coupled with weather concerns, makes for an intriguing series.