New Zealand have improved as the tour has gone on, however they nonetheless face a large problem
Big Picture
Bangladesh will look to shut out the T20I series on Wednesday, regardless that New Zealand confirmed that they’ll stage it up. Mahmudullah’s males have a proud report at residence, coincidentally relationship again to 2010 when a 4-Zero ODI series win over the Black Caps kickstarted their dominance. Still, New Zealand’s 52-run win on Sunday, which was solely their second in bilateral matches in Bangladesh in the final 11 years, shall be worrying.
Tom Latham’s inexperienced however spirited facet discovered a solution to maintain the series and their spinners seem like transferring from energy to energy. Left-armer Ajaz Patel is main the way in which and having picked up 4 wickets in the final sport – Mahedi Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah and Afif Hossain, a powerful assortment certainly – his confidence shall be sky excessive.
The seamers Jacob Duffy and Scott Kuggeleijn have additionally bowled economically, giving New Zealand’s bowling assault a range in opposition to which Bangladesh have struggled.
Given the gradual, low and sharply spinning nature of the Mirpur pitch, New Zealand have most likely realised that hitting the gaps is extra vital than searching for boundaries. Finn Allen gave them a rollicking begin on Sunday however then they slipped to 62 for five in the 11th over. Henry Nicholls and Tom Blundell needed to consolidate at bit earlier than hitting 33 runs in the final three overs.
Bangladesh nonetheless have a snug 2-1 lead in this series, although, and a number of gamers able to placing in match-winning performances, whether or not or not it’s their spin trio (Shakib, Mahedi, Nasum Ahmed) or their demise bowling specialists (Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin). They even have Shoriful Islam ready in the wings.
The solely fear is the batting largely as a result of they’ve needlessly experimented with the No. Three place. Having Shakib there with Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmmdullah to observe and leaving the ending duties with Mahedi, Afif and Nurul Hasan ought to give the XI the precise steadiness.
Form information
(final 5 accomplished matches)
Bangladesh LWWWL New Zealand WLLWW
In the highlight
The enigmatic Liton Das has squandered two good begins already in the series, which is not something new as a result of everyone seems to be beginning to count on it. Liton himself has stated he must be extra accountable. Will he lastly stay as much as his potential?
Ajaz Patel began the series by bowling the second-most economical spell by a New Zealander in males’s T20Is, earlier than his four-wicket haul secured the staff their first victory on tour. Patel has used the circumstances as effectively as the Bangladeshi spinners, if not higher, and has seemed threatening in virtually each spell. Two extra massive performances, and Patel might be first in line if New Zealand are to consider including an additional spinner to their T20 World Cup squad.
Team information
Bangladesh have batting and bowling back-up on the bench however one loss might not immediate a change.
Bangladesh (possible): 1 Mohammad Naim, 2 Liton Das, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim, 5 Mahmudullah (capt), 6 Nurul Hasan (wk), 7 Afif Hossain, 8 Mahedi Hasan, 9 Mohammad Saifuddin, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Nasum Ahmed
New Zealand most likely discovered their finest mixture by ditching one in all their tempo bowlers for the third T20I. It helped lengthen their batting order, which definitely helps in tough circumstances. Scott Kuggeleijn walked off with out bowling the final over of the match, though New Zealand did not verify if he has any sickness or damage considerations.
New Zealand (possible): 1 Rachin Ravindra, 2 Finn Allen, 3 Will Young, 4 Tom Latham (capt & wk), 5 Colin de Grandhomme, 6 Henry Nicholls, 7 Tom Blundell, 8 Cole McConchie, 9 Ajaz Patel, 10 Scott Kuggeleijn, 11 Jacob Duffy
Pitch and circumstances
The solely hope for batters is that if the Dhaka curator Gamini Silva decides to re-use the pitch from the second sport of this series, in any other case count on spin to dominate as soon as extra. Rain is in the forecast throughout match time.
Stats and trivia
New Zealand have bowled out Bangladesh for 76 twice in T20Is that this yr, to go together with 70 (2016) and 78 (2010).
Henry Nicholls and Tom Blundell placed on 66 unbroken runs in the earlier match, the best for the sixth wicket for New Zealand in opposition to Bangladesh.
Quotes
“It is hard to score and finding boundaries are even harder (on these pitches). Naim and I provided a good start in the second game, which helped the rest of the batting line-up. If I could have done the same in the third game – be a little more sensible – it might have been easy for us. I will try to play a bigger innings at my next opportunity.” Bangladesh opener Liton Das, on what he must do in the fourth T20I.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
