Apart from winning yet another T20 series against a major opposition (irrespective of composition of the squad) the other major objective for team Bangladesh is preparation for the ensuing ICC T20 world cup. Maintaining winning momentum Bangladesh nevertheless made a resounding start crushing Black Caps to their lowest innings in registering first ever T20 win in bilateral contest. Business as usual should lead them winning yet another series or may even earn them series whitewash. But will that give them an ideal preparation for the ensuing T20 world cup? Where in the world white ball cricket is played on such slow, low, gripping wicket where even new ball turned prodigiously from the very first over? Where else in the cricket world orthodox spinners bowl first power play overs? Bangladesh mission for preparation for the world cup cannot benefit playing on such wicket. Even player of match Shakib mentioned after the match that the wicket was more difficult than what they played on against Australia. 

We know New Zealand is little concern. This team has none who would feature in the world cup. Yet getting all out for 60 must have rubbed their goes. Hope they would try to turn around over the rest of the matches. Winning always gives confidence. But with an eye to immediate future Bangladesh requires building confidence of the younger players through competitive matches on as much like to like wickets as possible. Bangladesh requires testing some fringe players, fixing opening partnership, testing bowling combinations. Definitely Bangladesh would need four men pace ball attack. On UAE or Oman wicket spinners would not win matches. Now that Tamim has announced his intentions for not playing in world cup , Bangladesh needs giving Liton, Naim and Soumya to breadth freely . Can they play their natural game on such wickets? Did Bangladesh bat well also requiring 15 overs for getting across smallest target? 

What can Bangladesh do or what should be the ideal approach for Bangladesh in the rest of the matches? First target should be winning the series and for that they should go all out for winning the second and the third match. I would suggest to give Taskin and Rubel at least one game each rotating the pacers. Mustafiz and Saifuddin would play in any case in the World Cup .I would suggest any two among Rubel, Taskin and Shariful to feature in the World Cup squad. Let Mustafiz play the second and the third match till series is won .Let three other pacers rotate along side Mustafiz. I would also suggest trying Aminul Islam Biplob. Bangladesh squad should have a leg spinner. At some stage Mosaddeq and Shamim should also be given opportunity. We all know time is running out .By 10 September Bangladesh need announcing 15 members squad for the world cup. The options are very limited .No new players can be taken in the Bio Bubble now. 

Hope the other wickets would not be of the same nature as that of the first match. Hope something will be there for creating contest. We know hosts always prepare wickets to suit their strength. But here there is another stake for the host here. Preparing the team for the world cup. Sorry playing on such wickets Bangladesh team is not having ideal preparation at all. 

Making resounding statement in the series is OK. Winning big against big teams always give confidence .But the manner in which Bangladesh is doing creates doubts and confusions as to whether it would bring sustainable success . 

BDST: 1005 HRS, SEPT 03, 2021
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