Defeated Bangladesh look for some pride

Visitors Bangladesh will look to avoid a second whitewash in the tour as they take on hosts New Zealand in the third and final T20I of the series at Eden Park, Auckland on Thursday.

Bangladesh have been humbled in the first two matches of the series as New Zealand sealed the series with a game to spare and maintain their all-win home summer that has been stretched to seven series.

In the last game DLS method was in the center of discussion as Bangladesh had not been told their revised target before they faced nine balls. The confusion and another inefficient performance from the Tigers saw them losing another match and series. But they still have something to achieve as they look for their first ever win in New Zealand against the home side in any international match. 

Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed bowled well in the first two T20Is as he bowled economically and picked two wickets. Top order batsman Soumya Sarkar have struggled in most parts of the tour but finally got  some runs with a half-century in the previous T20I and generated confidence going into the final game of the series. Afif Hossain had scored a 45 in first game. 

“It is possible to win here (in New Zealand). But the way we have played, one day we were good with the ball, the other day with the bat. A win would have been possible if all three departments had worked together. The fielding was up to mark. We are still making some small mistakes. We can win the game tomorrow (Thursday) if we do not repeat the mistakes,” said left-handed batsman Soumya to the media on Wednesday.

“We did have a positive intent (in the previous game). There was initially confusion with the target, when the openers went to bat. I got some confidence hitting a boundary in the first ball I faced which was missing in the previous matches. My intention was clear to get the team to the victory, the wicket was good to bat on,” said Soumya. 

The wicket at Eden Park hints of high-scoring game with the short boundaries and an expected flat pitch. New Zealand looking for a win in their last game of the summer however might be upset if the rain that is in forecast arrive to spoil the party. Lights will be on Glenn Phillips to continue with his form having remained unbeaten in his last three matches with all being pivotal to New Zealand wins.

Bangladesh (probable):

Liton Das (wk), Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah (capt), Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed.