Bangladesh vs New Zealand 1st ODI reduced to 42 overs

The first game of the three-match ODI series between Bangladesh and New Zealand was reduced to 42 overs after the rain interruption at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka on Thursday, reports BSS.

New Zealand which were sent to bat first, reached 9-0 in 4.3 overs when rain halted the game.

After rain stopped, the match resumed at 4.30 pm (Bangladesh Time).

Keeping the World Cup in mind, both of the teams rested their key players in order to keep them fresh and injury free.

As expected, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad, the two senior players are back in the Bangladesh squad with the former recovering from his back problem.

Mahmudullah was dropped after the England series in March following a poor run of form but is believed to be a strong contender for the No.7 spot if he shows good performance in this series.

Bangladesh also brought back Soumya Sarkar, who played his last ODI two years ago.

The Black Caps haven’t won any ODI match in Bangladesh since 2008 and lost seven straight matches. After winning a three-match ODI in 2008 by 2-1, New Zealand suffered a 4-0 defeat in five-match series in 2010 and a 3-0 sweep in 2013.

Since then, it would be the first ODI series between the two sides on Bangladesh soil.

In their last series at home, Bangladesh tasted a 2-1 defeat to Afghanistan, which was their only third series defeat on own backyard since 2015. England are the only team to beat them twice.

After the Afghanistan series, Bangladesh also had bad phase in Asia Cup but they still achieved something to remember by beating eventual champions India in their last match of the Super Four phase.

For New Zealand series, Bangladesh rested their key players including captain Shakib Al Hasan, inform Najmul Hossain Shanto and others but brought back stalwarts like Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad.

It was series for Mahmudullah to prove his credential after being axed from the team following the series against England in March this year.

For Tamim, who recovered from his back injury, it's a series to have some game time ahead of the World Cup.

The team management however formed the team with some players, who still could force their way back to the national team for the coveted World Cup. New Zealand too rested their first choice players and so it looked that the series is opportunity for players to put their individual performance and force their case for the World Cup stronger.

Squad:

Bangladesh: Liton Das (Captain), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Syed Khaled Ahmed

New Zealand: Lockie Ferguson (captain), Finn Allen, Chad Bowes, Will Young, Tom Blundell, Dean Foxcroft, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Cole McConchie, Dane Cleaver, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Trent Boult.