The New Zealand T20 team will play a five-match series against Bangladesh starting in September 2021. New Zealand last played a Test, ODI, and T20I series in Bangladesh in 2013. The New Zealand Cricket Board has already named a 15-man team for the forthcoming series against Bangladesh and Pakistan. Surprisingly, no players who will attain in the T20 World Cup or the India series have been included in the tours. Though, the declared team is more than able to put Bangladeshi players under a lot of pressure. Let's take a look at New Zealand's squad for the BAN vs. NZ 2021 T20I series.
New Zealand’s Squad for the BAN vs. NZ 2021 T20I Series
New Zealand Cricket announced their T20I and One-Day International teams for the upcoming series against Bangladesh and Pakistan on Monday (August 9). New Zealand will play Bangladesh in five T20 matches, followed by five T20s and three ODIs in September.
The selectors included a number of young players in the team for their white-ball tours in Bangladesh and Pakistan, New Zealand. New Zealand Cricket has opted to rest several experienced players in light of the IPL and T20 World Cup. As a result, Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and other senior members will be unable to participate in the tour.
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Tom Latham will lead the New Zealand team. Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, and Ajaz Patel will have to carry most of the responsibility during the contest. This team has several talented bowlers who may be tricky on a slow pitch.
Bangladesh have had a lot of success against New Zealand in the ODI format. However, they have never beaten New Zealand in T20 or Test cricket. Bangladesh have played 10 T20 matches against New Zealand so far and lost all of them. Bangladesh have a great chance to win a series against a second-tier New Zealand team at home especially after winning a T20I series against Australia.
Meanwhile, the official schedule of the BAN vs. NZ 2021 series has been finalized. The New Zealand squad will follow a strict covid-19 health protocol during their tour in Bangladesh.
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New Zealand T20I Squad:
Tom Latham (Captain &wk), Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell (wk), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Blair Tickner, Will Young
Series fixture
The New Zealand Cricket Board wants to play five T20 matches at the same ground due to the coronavirus pandemic. That's why the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur will host all of Bangladesh's matches against New Zealand in September and the matches will start at 6 PM (BST).
M: 1st T20I | Date: September 1, M: 2nd T20I | Date: September 3, M: 3rd T20I | Date: September 5, M: 4th T20I | Date: September 8, M: 5th T20I | Date: September 10
Verdict
We should expect spin-friendly pitches for the BAN vs. NZ 2021 series as Bangladesh aim to dominate the contest. In such a scenario, this Kiwi side would have to put in a lot of effort to beat Bangladesh's T20I team. In addition, Bangladesh team management can test their squad strength during the series. On the other hand, this New Zealand team will be aiming to gain valuable experience, as this sort of slow pitch is hardly seen anywhere else in the world.