The ODI World Cup is just a matter of weeks away, and Bangladesh and New Zealand have squeezed in one last warm-up series in Mirpur on Thursday.
Bangladesh head into the three-match battle fresh from making the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, while New Zealand have plenty of work to do after a 3-1 series defeat to England.
Bangladesh vs New Zealand Prediction
Team news
Both sides have elected to rest players for this series with Bangladesh having decided to leave out star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan along with Musfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Shorif Islam.
Litton Das will lead the Tigers in Al Hasan’s absence while Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah have returned and the likes of Soumya Sarkar and Nurul Hasan have been called up to the squad.
As for New Zealand, they have left out Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Glen Phillips, while Tim Southee is out of the series after picking up an injury against England.
Bangladesh to win @ 8/11
Not everything went to plan but Bangladesh at least reached the Super Four phase of the recent Asia Cup and they will be hoping to build on that in this series with New Zealand.
The Tigers defeated Afghanistan to progress from their initial group before defeats to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super Four, although they at least signed off with a six-run win over eventual champions India.
And they look a decent selection at 8/11 to see off New Zealand, who had a tough time of it against England recently.
The Black Caps lost the series 3-1, enduring defeats by 181 runs and 100 runs in the last two matches, and they are even weaker ahead of this clash in Mirpur.
They have left out some key players heading into this contest and the recent ODI experience they have racked up has been on flat pitches in England.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, have a much stronger grasp of sub-continental conditions, having played in them during the recent Asia Cup, and they can make that count in this series opener.
Tamim Iqbal – Bangladesh Top Run Scorer @ 3/1
With Al Hasan absent, Bangladesh will need another player to step up to the plate at the crease in Mirpur.
Litton Das is the obvious candidate but form has not been on his side recently and Tamim Iqbal could instead be a decent option to top score for Bangladesh.
Iqbal posted some decent ODI scores in series with Ireland earlier this year, striking 41 not out in Sylhet in March and 69 in Chelmsford in May.
But he also looked decent when in Mirpur back in March, scoring 23 and 35 lower down the order against England.
He will have a more important role to play this time around and is a worthwhile selection to impress for the Tigers.
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