T20 series a sterner test
“One win is all we need.” This is a statement that different members of the Bangladesh contingent, including captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, has repeatedly stressed upon over the last few weeks.
It goes to show that the visiting Tigers in New Zealand are under pressure and are probably a bit frustrated as well. Sure enough, they did end up losing the three-match ODI series 3-0, but when they look back, they will definitely be kicking themselves for having given away golden opportunities, especially in the last two ODIs, during that series.
Truth be told, Bangladesh's chances of winning a T20I against the Black Caps are a lot slimmer. The Tigers may have enjoyed a good run in ODIs at home in the last two years, but there T20I record remains poor.
They have won 20 out of their 62 T20Is and 17 of those wins have come against non-full member nations and Zimbabwe.
Against New Zealand, Bangladesh have played four T20Is so far and have lost all of them. The two lowest scores by Bangladesh in the format came against the Black Caps. The lowest of 70 all out came the last time these two teams met during the ICC WorldTwenty20 on March 26. While Mustafizur Rahman did take a five-wicket haul in that game, the Tigers were thrashed by 75 runs. The second-lowest score of 78 all out was in their first meeting in the format and also the only time the sides faced off in New Zealand, at Hamilton in February 2010. Bangladesh were all out for 78 before Brendon McCullum powered the home side to the target in just 8.2 overs.
So what are the positives for Bangladesh going into the T20I series? Well, for one, they do know that when they are at their best they can put the Black Caps under pressure. It's something that they did in the last two ODIs, albeit only temporarily.
However, they need to learn to hold on to that pressure.
Bangladesh is expected to field a batting-heavy line-up with eight batsmen. Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe, Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain are the four specialist bowlers likely to make the 11, with Taskin Ahmed likely to be rested. If that is the case then the role of the fifth bowler could be completed with the help of Mosaddek, Soumya sarkar, Sabbir Rahman and Mahmudullah Riyad.
The ODI series may be over, but the opportunity for the Tigers to win a game in New Zealand still remains. For that to happen though, their middle order needs to be more resolute, and they need to be a lot sharper on the field.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence. While they have lost Martin Guptill due to injury, his replacement Neil Broom has been in terrific form. They have a balanced T20I outfit with at least seven players in the team who are capable of bowling all four overs. One among the all-rounders Jimmy Neesham or Colin de Grandhomme will further strengthen their bowling attack which could see the inclusion of leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who was not a part of the ODI team.
On the whole, the T20I series is likely to provide a sterner task for the Tigers. However, if they can ace this challenge -- at least win one game -- they will grow in confidence and that will in turn set up a brilliant finale during the Tests.