Bangladesh were sent to the field after New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and chose to bat in the first ODI of the three-match series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday.
The hosts named a balanced XI featuring three pacers and two spinners. Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman lead the pace attack, while captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain will handle spin duties. However, Nahid Rana, who impressed in the Pakistan Super League, was left out of the playing XI.
In head-to-head ODI encounters, Bangladesh and New Zealand have faced each other 46 times. The Kiwis hold a clear advantage with 34 wins, while Bangladesh have secured 11 victories, with one match ending without a result.
Bangladesh’s highest ODI total against New Zealand is 309 for 6, achieved in Fatullah in 2013. On the other hand, New Zealand’s highest score against Bangladesh stands at 341, recorded in Christchurch in 2016.
Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Kumar Das, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
New Zealand: Henry Nicholls, Nick Kelly, Will Young, Tom Latham (captain), Muhammad Abbas, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Jayden Lennox, Will O’Rourke.
