It’s been less than 10 days since the ODI World Cup came to a conclusion, but teams have already started to move on to different challenges. New Zealand, who finished at the semifinal stage this year will pride themselves on how far they got, but Bangladesh, with two wins in nine, not so much. However, the current international cricket calendar is quick to provide a fresh shot at glory, as the teams begin their WTC campaigns – five months after many of the other teams started theirs.
The two-match Test series between Bangladesh and New Zealand has begun today on November 28, Tuesday, and will extend until December 10, Sunday. The second game will start on December 06, Wednesday.
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet and Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka will be the hosts for the upcoming Test series.
New Zealand ahead in stats
Bangladesh and New Zealand have faced each other in a total of 17 Test matches, with Bangladesh securing victory in just one match, while New Zealand emerging victorious in 13 encounters. The teams have battled to a draw thrice. As they gear up for their upcoming two-match Test series, both sides will be eager to add to their respective records.
It is easy to forget that New Zealand, under the current core group, won the inaugural World Test Championship final and lifted the mace at the Rose Bowl back in June 2021. In fact, after the T20 World Cup final loss in 2021, Kane Williamson was quick to remind a reporter with a smile that New Zealand had in fact won the final of the inaugural tournament, after being runners-up in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, and the 2021 T20 World Cup.
However, New Zealand begin this campaign with a difficult proposition – beating Bangladesh in Bangladesh, which, despite their poor form in other formats and the chaos in the administration, has been a tough task in recent times. In fact, Bangladesh beat New Zealand rather convincingly in a Test match in Mount Maunganui in early 2022, and tied the series 1-1. With Najmul Shanto leading the Bangladesh side, and some senior statesmen missing, Bangladesh still have the personnel to excel in their home conditions.
At the time of writing Bangladesh have won the toss and have opted to bat
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shahadat Hossain, Nurul Hasan(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Naeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam
New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Glenn Phillips, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee(c), Ajaz Patel
At the stroke of Lunch 104/2 , Bangladesh can claim honours in the first session of play Perhaps, because they have managed to score over 100 runs in the session. If not for Shanto’s dismissal.Nice pace and carry early on for the seamers and there was swing as well. And then the ball spun for the spinners but it’s still a good batting wicket. Ajaz got one to spin sharply to knock over Zakir Hasan while Shanto went on the attack against the spinners and holed out 10 minutes before lunch. Mahmudul Hasan Joy has looked very compact and composed. Mominul has just joined him.