Bangladesh and New Zealand will play the fourth match of the five-match Twenty20 International series on Wednesday (September 8). Bangladesh comfortably won the series-opener on a surface that favored the spinners. However, the pitches were better in the previous two matches. New Zealand performed well on those surfaces and won the third one. The curator is set to make a similar pitch for the fourth encounter. Bangladesh's players will have to give it their best performance to win this T20I series against New Zealand. The fourth match preview of the BAN vs. NZ 2021 T20I series has been discussed in this article.

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Bangladesh’s Team News

Bangladesh openers comparatively have performed well in the series. Naim-Liton pair did manage to form a 50-plus partnership in the second match, which helped Bangladesh to put up a fighting score to defend. Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad played his part in the first two matches, while Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan both flopped in the previous match.

Senior players, as well as the middle order, must perform their roles properly if Bangladesh want to put pressure on New Zealand's bowling unit.

Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed are having a good series. They have made excellent use of the conditions and have consistently taken wickets for Bangladesh.

Read:New Zealand bounce back as Tigers suffer first defeat

Shakib Al Hasan and Musafizur Rahman have contributed their part with the ball. Mustafizur Rahman has reached 200 T20 wickets, while Shakib Al Hasan is only two wickets away from being the T20I's leading wicket-taker.

Middle-order batsman Afif Hossain has struggled in this series. It's possible that Mosaddek Hossain/Soumya Sarkar will take his place in the fourth match. Apart from that, no more changes to the playing XI are anticipated.

Predicted XI (Bangladesh Team)

Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad (captain), Nurul Hasan (wicket-keeper), Afif Hossain/Mosaddek Hossain/Soumya Sarkar, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed

New Zealand’s Team News

New Zealand skipper Tom Latham has been a revelation in this series after making his T20 return. He has played a couple of praiseworthy innings in this series. Aside from him, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, and the top order all batted well in the previous encounter. They will have to do a better job in the next game.

Read:Bangladesh require 129 to wrap up series vs New Zealand

New Zealand spinners have outperformed Bangladesh spinners in the series. Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, and Cole McConchie have caused a lot of difficulties to Bangladesh batters. Bangladesh batsmen need to be cautious and sensible against them. New Zealand could stick with the same playing lineup as in the third game.

Predicted XI (New Zealand Team)

Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Tom Latham (captain & wicket-keeper), Colin de Grandhomme, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Cole McConchie, Doug Bracewell, Ajaz Patel, Hamish Bennett, Matt Henry

Pitch and Weather Report

The surface of the fourth match of the BAN vs. NZ 2021 T20I series will benefit slower bowlers. However, batters who spend time in the middle can find a way to score. The weather in Dhaka will most likely be partly overcast in the afternoon on Wednesday (September 8), but there is no chance of rain. The New Zealand team has already acclimated to the conditions and they are poised to cause another upset against the host team.

Read: New Zealand opt to bat first against Bangladesh in 3rd T20I

Bottom Line

New Zealand will try heart and soul to level the series after a great effort in the do-or-die third match of the BAN vs. NZ 2021 series. The Blackcaps will go all out to beat the tigers in the fourth match to stay remain in the series. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will have a great chance to win a bilateral T20I series for the first time against New Zealand. They can win the series against the Kiwis with one game in hand if the players are able to keep their composure during the contest. Overall, cricket fans anticipate an exciting encounter between Bangladesh and New Zealand.