Any tour to New Zealand (be it white or red ball) is always extremely challenging for any team from South Asian subcontinent. Players of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka usually play on low, slow, turning wickets.

Off course these days efforts are being made for leaving grass on wickets and letting players practice on simulated wickets. But these are too little to less to adjust with fast bouncy wickets assisting seam movement. Moreover, some grounds have strong breeze, a great impediment for playing strokes in the air. Tradionally Black Caps produced players excelling in such condition. Moreover, New Zealand is now at their brilliant best in all formats be in white ball or red ball cricket. A country of several beautiful islands of small population now ranks top in Test Cricket, 3rd in ODI and 6th in T20 International. Bangladesh is going to play against New Zealand without its main weapon all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has its work cut out. The 20-member squad would play three ODIs and 3 T20 Internationals. In recent past Black Caps rocked and rolled West Indies and Pakistan. Right now Australia is there waiting to play against them. New Zealand has qualified for playing ICC Test Championship final at Lords in June 2021.

Bangladesh has announced 20 Members squad for ODI and T20 series. All will travel together and along with team management, coaching staff would have to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival as part of bio security bubble before commencing acclimatization with conditions.

The Squad

Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah Riad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton K Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddeq Hossain, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mohammad Mithun, Naim Sheikh, Afiff Hossain Dhrubo, Mehedy Miraj, Sheikh Mahedy, Al Amin Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain, Hasan Mahmood, Shariful Islam, Nasum Ahmed.

BCB has picked the team with the best available resources. Mashrafee Murtaza is no longer considered for inclusion and Shakib Al Hasan has been granted parental leave for staying beside her wife expecting third child. Bangladesh has to raise another good enough team for playing against Ireland Wolves at home as well soon.

The return of quality all rounders Mahmudullah Riad and Mosaddeq Hossain would strengthen the team. They are expected to boost the morale of the team feeling the absence of Shakib Al Hasan. Mahmudullah and Mosaddeq were sought after for Dhaka test after debacle in Chittagong against West Indies. One can question about persistence with Nazmul Shanto after his dismal performance in three ODIs and two tests. Some questions may be raised about Soumya as well. Reasonable time and efforts have been invested on both but return in not that great. Soumya however has a better record of playing against Black Caps in their environment. We are not sure picking Nazmul ahead of some deserving youngsters is a right decision. Parvez Emon could be a better option. The team has as many as seven pace bowlers for two formats. Considering that in Covid situation no replacement can be sent in case of injury and Bangladesh may play at least two pacers and Saifuddin if not three in most matches taking seven pacers is a right decision. The team has five all rounder : Mahmudullah , Mosaddeq , Meraj, Afiff and Saifuddin . Hope their performance would not make Bangladesh feel the absence of Shakib during the tour. It is high time Bangladesh develops worthy successor of Shakib as he is showing increasing reluctance for national duty. Let not unwilling horse persuading for playing any more. None remains indispensible for anything for ever. Bangladesh must grow beyond Shakib.

Bangladeshi pacers specially Mustafiz, Taskin, Rubel,Al Amin, Hasan Mahmood and Shariful are expected  doing well in New Zealand. I think Abu Jayed Rahi could be there as he moves the ball in both direction at pace. Perhaps Rahi and Ebadat are preserved for test matches. It will be interesting to see how Saifuddin perform. He was not used much against West Indies. Saifuddin and Mosaddeq performing well with both bat and ball will be added bonus for Bangladesh.

Tamim would possibly have Liton K Das opening with him in ODI and Sheikh Naim in T20. In New Zealand Condition Soumya if in the team should bat at number three. I would suggest playing Mushfique and Mahmudullah at 4 and 5. Afiff should bat at six , Mehdi Miraj at 7 . Saifuddin and three pacers should make the team. I find no room for Shanto and Mithun appearing in the first eleven for both T20 and ODI. Hope I would be proved wrong. Nasum Ahmed can be better choice as specialist spinner if Bangladesh chooses to appear with two pacers, Saifuddin and a spinner. Mehedy, Mahmudullah and Afiff can always share the bowling. Off Course Sheikh Mahedy would also deserve an opportunity at least.

New Zealand is having the best time of their cricket history. Bangladesh must not be too optimistic against such a team. However, Bangladesh has nothing to loose. Some top Black Cap players may be given rest but they have so many talented cricketers of almost similar quality that not playing some top players would make little difference. Tigers must apply and commit to perform against the Kiwis. A good enough performance would give them enough confidence for a busy cricket schedule ahead in 2021. Moreover, ODI series is a part of ICC ODI Championship series and T20 will arm them well for the qualifying tournament of ICC T20 world cup in India.