Bangladesh will eye a second successive T20I series win when they take on New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series, on Sunday, 5 September. The first two games proved to be a cakewalk for them.
The spin troika of Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed has been at the forefront of their recent domination in the format. They have already combined for 10 wickets in two matches. The seamers, Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin, have had a rare bad day in the last game. Both leaked runs and went wicketless.
Mohammad Naim and Liton Das gave a brisk start in the second T20I. Mushfiqur Rahim, promoted to No. 3, got a golden duck before Mahmudullah’s 32-ball 37 helped them reach 141/6.
New Zealand need their batters to do well if they want to keep the series alive. Barring Tom Latham, none of them has had a decent outing so far. Latham’s unbeaten 65 took them close to the finishing line in the second match. Other than him, only Will Young crossed 20.
Rachin Ravindra as an opener has not quite worked for them. Henry Nicholls, one of the better players of spin, may be promoted. Ravindra and Ajaz Patel have done well with the ball. Finn Allen is likely to replace Tom Blundell as an opener.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Among wicketkeepers, Mushfiqur and Latham are must-haves for your team.
- Shakib Al Hasan is an ideal choice for either captain or vice-captain. Ravindra should be the second all-rounder.
- Ajaz, Mustafizur and Nasum are great bowling choices.
Probable XI:
Bangladesh: Mahmudullah (c), Liton Das, Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin Nasum Ahmed, Afif Hossain
New Zealand: Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Tom Latham (c & wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Will Young, Doug Bracewell, Ajaz Patel, Henry Nicholls, Cole McConchie, Ben Sears, Hamish Bennett
Blitzpools Fantasy Team
Tom Latham (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Henry Nicholls, Finn Allen, Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Rachin Ravindra, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Ajaz Patel, Ben Sears
