Clock is ticking, days are whistling away. Bangladesh Cricket team adjusting with cool windy climate of southern hemisphere must be itching for the show to commence at University Oval Dunedin. Bangladesh starts its three Matches ODI mission as Black Caps now beaming with confidence. Off course Bangladesh has past glories against Black Caps. They twice white washed them at home, won against them in tri nation Championship New Zealand –Bangladesh – Ireland in Ireland in 2019 prior to World Cup when Shakib and Mahmudullah batted superbly. Bangladesh almost beat strong New Zealand in 2015 ICC World Cup in New Zealand. Off course they did not win any match in bilateral series. The two ODI they played at University were also won with reasonable comfort by New Zealand. 

History gives lesson but history does not always repeat. Circumstances alter cases. Two veterans, two of their top batsmen in history Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor are unavailable at least for the first ODI. It will definitely take away some gloss for Black Caps batting. But at the same time it will create challenge for two budding genius Devon Conway and Will Young to display their quality and skills. What I have seen of them so far they are high quality aggressive players. Add to that blaster Martin Gaptill in prime form, always useful Tom Latham, James Neesham, Mitcheel. New Zealand has horses for the courses. Bangladesh has to contain a very aggressive inform unit of Black cap  batsmen. But at the same time the batting is not impregnable. They can also crumble if their weakness can be smartly exploited as has been shown by a Aston Ager willy Australian spinner at Wellington. Can Mehedi, Afiff Dhrubo and Nasum do that? Bangladesh must pick its pace attack extremely carefully. The most expect must lead the pack having Mustafiz and one from among Shoriful, Hasan Mahmood and Taskin. It is no use bowling at 125-130 KMH in New Zealand condition. Bowlers bowling at 135 plus wicket to wicket at three quarter length has some purchase in the air and off the wicket. Saifuddin would play as all rounder. Mehedi Miraj should spearhead spin attack. I do not think at Dunedin a second spinner would be wise. Mosaddeq could be handy but he is injured. Mahmudullah can be used if necessary. But Bangladesh should have 7 batsmen including Miraj, Saifuddin and three pacers at Dunedin. 

Now come to the batting. Tamim, Liton should open though they had bitter past. Number three will be tricky. We know team wants Shanto but why? If Soumya is in the playing XI he must play at three unless Liton is removed early. For left and right combination going either Mahmudullah should be pushed up or Mithun should bat at three. 4, 5 and 6 can be Mushfique, Mahmdullah, Shanto and Meraj can bat at 7 leaving 8,9,10and 11 filled up by Saifuddin and the three pacers. 

As told already Bangladesh bowlers must not try to ball too full or two short. Bowling should be wicket to wicket for making batsmen inventing the strokes. If these hungry sharks like stroke makers are given room balls will be flying out of the small terraces. Bangladesh can gamble playing Nasum. In that case should play with two pacers and Saifuddin.

Winning against in form New Zealand will be extremely difficult but not impossible for well-prepared Bangladesh. Hope Tamim is fit to play and lead from the front. Month of March should naturally instill stainless still confidence in the team. Play for Bangladesh Liberation War heroes. Play for your mate Late Manzar Rana. Glorify Bangladesh. 

With every win tigers will open a new page of their cricket history. What can be a greater glory than rewriting few pages of history on the golden Jubilee celebration of glorious liberation war? 

BDST: 1403 HRS, MAR 18, 2021
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