The outcome of a home test series of formidable New Zealand against not too strong Bangladesh is always predictable. Bangladesh even with the strongest of its team never won a match of any format in New Zealand against New Zealand. Moreover, New Zealand is the ICC Test Champion; Bangladesh stays at the bottom of the test ranking just above lowly Zimbabwe.
The 2-match Test series kicks off from 1st of January 2022. New Zealand are always a formidable side when they play at home. The highlights of the series are skipper Kane Williamson would miss this series and Tom Latham would lead the side in his absence. Ajaz Patel, who took all 10 wickets against India in the first innings of the second Test has been surprisingly left out. This series would be special for another reason, as veteran batter Ross Taylor would hang up his bat after the series.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, have not been up to the mark when it comes to Test cricket. They recently lost the Test series against Pakistan 0-2. There is a massive responsibility on the shoulders of skipper Mominul Haque who has a lot to prove. Going with the team balance, New Zealand will have an upper hand and start as favourites. Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim as the last of the five leading international quality players would have to shoulder huge responsibilities. Mashrafee did not play red ball cricket for a while .After 2019 world cup cricket he did not play for his country in any format . Shakib skipped the series for personal reasons, Mahmullah announced his retirement from test after scoring a brilliant 150 in his last innings against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe . Tamim was not match fit before the announcement of the squad. Mominul is leading a team of less experienced young players.
New Zealand is one of few countries which witnesses sun rise much earlier than most countries .As such year 2022 would start at least 6 hours early than Bangladesh. Cricket admirers would require getting up early. The first match will be held at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from January 1-5 , followed by the second game, which would be hosted at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The second Test is scheduled to begin from January 9. The WTC champions, who are currently ranked second in Test cricket, would be hoping to begin 2022 on a positive note and win the series against Bangladesh.
New Zealand Squad: Tom Latham (Captain), Tom Blundell (Wicket Keeper) ), Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, and Will Young
As mentioned above Kane Williamson is nursing his injury and in his absence Tom Latham would lead the team. Veteran Ross Taylor decided to make the series as his swang song. Black Caps decided to appear 5 top quality pace bowlers and a lone young batting spinner Rachin Ravindra .The surprise option is Ajaj Patel. Possibly home team wants to rattle Bangladesh with raw pace on pace, swing friendly surfaces.
Probable New Zealand XI (first match)
Tom Latham (c), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (Wicket Keeper), Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult
Bangladesh: Mominul Haque (Captain ), Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Kumer Das (Wicket Keeper) ), Nurul Hasan Sohan, Yasir Ali Rabbi, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Shohidul Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Md Naim Sheikh
Probable Playing XI for the first test: Mominul Haque (Captain), Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Kumer Das (Wicket Keeper) ), Yasir Ali Rabbi, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi and Ebadot Hossain.
Bangladesh has very little to look back into history of their performance in the land of the Kiwis. They did not experience any win there against the host in any format playing altogether 32 matches. They have lost 9 test matches and many by huge margins. Only in one test where Mushfique and Shakib batted brilliantly in 2017 the test was extended to day five.
This time Bangladesh batsmen has steep task at hand as Southee, Boult, Wagner and Jamieson would cause huge issues with raw pace and great swing in windy condition. Bangladesh top order is not in great shape. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali exposed their weakness against pace and swing even on slow low Bangladesh wicket. Bangladesh has a long tail also. Most would rest on Mushfique, Mominul and Liton Das. We are not sure whether Bangladesh would go for three pacers and two spinners as I suggested or two pacers and an additional Batsman. Taskin is the best bet and Rahi would swing. I think much improved tall Ebadat would love the pace friendly condition. Miraz would give depth in the batting, Taijul should be the automatic choice. Bangladesh has to choose between Shadman and Mahmudul Hasan Joy. The team lacks experience. We are sure at some stage of the series team think tank would realize. However, in absence of Kane Williamson black cap batting is also not that strong as appeared against India in the recent past. But then one must not dare comparing Indian attack with Bangladesh. The real task at hand would be batting with a plan against formidable black cap attack , surviving the early aggression . On New Zealand wickets batting first 20 overs is the key. If early batters can control damage runs would come. If not fragile Bangladesh batting may huff and puff. The problem is black cap bowlers are relentless in home condition. If Boult and Southee do not get you Wagner and Jamieson would do. That is why Kiwis did not care to pick Ajaj Patel in the squad.
Let us hope that Bangladesh would give a good account of them and prove competitive. Would request Bangladesh cricket admirers remaining carefully optimistic. Black Caps would definitely return the compliments as their second rated team was trapped on low slow gripping SBNCS in the recent past.
Mount Maunganui is surrounded by hills at high altitude. Ball swings a lot and has strong wind.
BDST: 0930 HRS, DEC 31, 2021
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