New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 28th Match, Super 10 Group 2
New Zealand, assured of a place in the semifinals from Group 2, will play the beleaguered Bangladesh in Kolkata on Saturday.
It’s Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah’s over enthusiasm to go for ‘glory’ shots that cost Bangladesh the match against India.
Shaken after losing to India in a cliff-hanger, a
demoralised Bangladesh will look to end their campaign on a high when
they face a rampaging New Zealand in a ICC World Twenty20 dead rubber at
Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.
Their epic
one-run loss from the jaws of victory against India on Wednesday ended
the semifinal hopes of the spirited Bangladesh team as they’re winless
from three matches.
The Black Caps, who have already
sealed a final-four berth, on the other hand, would look to top Group 2
with an all-win record as they have emerged from being a ‘lesser team’
to the team to beat in the sixth edition of the World T20.
With
their contrasting campaigns, Mashrafe Mortaza’s men will seek a
consolation win and restore some pride but it remains to be seen whether
the Black Caps take their foot off the gas ahead of the knockouts.
This
will be Bangladesh’s second outing of the World Twenty20 at the Eden
and the familiar conditions in front of an expected crowd support closer
to home would certainly boost the team’s morale after their
heart-aching loss to India.
Opening their Super 10
campaign here, Bangladesh were handed out a 55-run loss by Pakistan but
they raised their standards to scare the mighty Australia and India.
Certainly
Bangladesh are punching over their weight with their creditable
performances against India and Australia and have won the hearts, it’s
time that they display some maturity and calm demeanour to win a match.
Two
runs needed from last three balls, it’s Mushfiqur Rahim and
Mahmudullah’s over enthusiasm to go for ‘glory’ shots that cost
Bangladesh the match against India.
Tamim Iqbal,
Shakib Al Hasan and Sabbir Rahaman have shown flashes of their
brilliance and despite the suspension of their two in-form bowlers
Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny, Bangladesh have been resilient.
Bangladesh
will have to focus and put the disappointment behind so as to secure
their first win against New Zealand who have a 3-0 win-loss record in
T20Is.
From out-spinning India with a dose of their
own medicine, to outmanoeuvring their trans-Tasman rivals Australia, New
Zealand were the first to seize their place in semis with a clinical
win over Pakistan en route to securing a third victory on the trot.
In
the turning wicket of Nagpur, New Zealand have shown their potent spin
attack in Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and the experienced Nathan
McCullum to fox India in the tournament-opener.
Their
batting depth was also underlined in the previous match when Martin
Guptill blasted 80 from 48 balls to lay the foundation for their 180/5
against Pakistan in Mohali.
With Guptill at the top
and Ross Taylor in the lower middle order, the batting unit is following
the legacy left by Brendon McCullum.
Captain Kane
Williamson, who is new to the job after the retirement of the
hard—hitting opener McCullum, has shown his ability to forge a winning
unit.
In Dharamshala, Williamson made one change to
their line up bringing in Mitchell McClenaghan to replace the spinner
Nathan McCullum and the left arm pacer paid back derailing the Aussies
small chase of 143 with his 3/17.
In all the three
matches, New Zealand have batted first and defended totals of 126, 142
and 180 successfully and they may look to test their chasing ability as
well as give others some chance.
Their two premier
bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult have not played a single match so
far as the likes of Adam Milne, Corey Anderson and McClenaghan have
formed their pace bowling attack.
It remains to be seen whether the team think-tank decide to give the duo an opportunity ahead of the semifinals.
New
Zealand had reached the semis of the World T20 only once at the
inaugural event in 2007 and were primed to win the ODI World Cup before
succumbing to Australia in Melbourne last year.
This will be their another chance to make amend and have a feel of the conditions, should they make the April 3 summit clash.
Teams (from):
New Zealand:
Kane Williamson (C), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Martin Guptill, Grant
Elliott, Colin Munro, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam
Milne, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi (WK), Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi,
Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
Bangladesh: Mashrafe
Mortaza (C), Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Sabbir
Rehman, Abu Hider, Nurul Hasan, Al-Amin Hossain, Nasir Hossain, Shakib
Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mohammed Mithun, Mustafizur Rahman, Saqlain Sajib
and Shuvagata Hom.
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