Tigers take on New Zealand to keep Champions Trophy alive

Dhaka, 23 Feb - Bangladesh are determined to make a strong comeback in a bid to keep their Champions trophy mission alive as they take on New Zealand in their second match of the tournament Monday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Pakistan. 

The match starts at 3 PM (Bangladesh Time).

A defeat may lead Bangladesh to an early exit from the tournament. But a 
victory looked an uphill task for them given that they are facing a team, 
considered as the most balanced side in the event.

Bangladesh got off to a disappointing start to the tournament by conceding 
six-wicket defeat to India. New Zealand on the other hand beat hosts Pakistan 
by 60 runs to make a good start.

The condition in Dubai and Rawalpindi will be vastly different, according to 
Bangladesh batter Towhid hridoy who hammered a scintillating century against 
India in the first match. His century was the first by a Bangladeshi batter 
against India in an ICC event. 

"We know Pakistan's condition will be different. From here we will (try to) 
come back stronger first," Hridoy said. "We have a plan up in the sleeve and 
we'll try to execute it properly."

Bangladesh met New Zealand for 45 times in ODI cricket and won just 11, while 
lost 33 matches. One match ended in a no result.

Amongst the last five matches between the two sides, Bangladesh won just one 
and lost four but that one victory came in the two team's last meeting in 
December 2023 in Napier. That was Bangladesh's first victory in ODI format on 
New Zealand soil. 

And they won the match by steamrolling Kiwis by nine wickets. After wrapping 
up New Zealand for just 98 runs, Bangladesh rode on captain Najmul Hossain 
Shanto's 42 ball-51 not out to secure the victory in just 15.1 overs. That 
they won the match, keeping 209 balls unused is itself a record for 
Bangladesh in this format.

The last memory against the Black Caps would definitely give Bangladesh an 
extra boost, and obviously particularly for the captain Shanto who has been 
on lean patch with the willow at this moment.

A victory against Bangladesh may ensure New Zealand's semifinal and so 
there's no scope for them to stay relaxed. 

New fast bowling sensation Nahid Rana and inform veteran Mahmudullah Riyad 
were expected to make playing XI against India. But their absence raised an 
eyebrow. It was later ensured that Mahmudullah was injured.

However, it is yet to know, whether he can play the crucial match against New 
Zealand. In his last five ODIs, Mahmudullah hit four half-centuries.

Bangladesh may include Nahid Rana by replacing Mustafizur Raman who looked 
clueless against India.
 
Bangladesh experienced a familiar top order collapse against India, being 
reduced to 35-5. It was Towhid Hriody and Jaker Ali Anik who made a 
resistance and put on record 154-run for the sixth wicket to take Bangladesh 
to 228 before being all out.

Jaker Ali who made 68 runs ideally played in Mahmudullah's place. So if 
Mahmudullah is available to play, it will be interesting to see how 
Bangladesh accommodate him in the playing XI. 

Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, 
Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy 
Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain 
Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Nahid Rana

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon 
Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will 
O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, 
Will Young and Jacob Duffy.