T20
BAN vs. NZ Series 2021: Mahmudullah Becomes Bangladesh’s Most Successful T20I Captain
Bangladesh met Zimbabwe in their maiden Twenty20 International match on November 28, 2006, at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna. Bangladesh's inaugural T20I match was captained by Shahriar Nafees, and it was the only cricket format in which Bangladesh won their first match. Bangladesh have played 109 T20I matches since then, winning 40 and losing 67 of them. Bangladesh have had seven T20I captains so far, with Mahmudullah Riyad leading the way with 12 victories. How Mahmudullah Riyad becomes Bangladesh's most successful T20I captain in the ongoing 5-match bilateral BAN vs. NZ 2021 series is discussed in this article.
Bangladesh National Cricket Team's T20I Captaincy Record
Left-arm opener Shahriar Nafees led Bangladesh to victory in their maiden T20I match against Zimbabwe in 2006. Interestingly, he did not captain Bangladesh for the second time. Opener Liton Das has also captained Bangladesh for a single match.
Mahmudullah Riyad became the most successful T20I captain in history after winning the series opener against New Zealand on Wednesday (September 1). Mahmudullah Riyad has won 12 of his 24 matches as captain, giving him the highest winning percentage.
Read: Bangladesh-New Zealand T20 series: PM greets Tigers for going 2-0 up
Surprisingly, 9 of his 12 victories have come in the last 10 matches, which is an incredible number. It indicates that Mahmudullah has improved as a skipper and he has performed very well in the recent T20I series.
Seven players have captained Bangladesh in the Twenty20 format. Mashrafe Mortaza has led Bangladesh the most times (28), followed by Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mohammad Ashraful.
Bangladesh have been winning consistently since Mushfiqur Rahim took over as captain of the national team in 2011. Bangladesh have won eight games and lost fourteen under his leadership. Mushfiqur Rahim is Bangladesh's third-best captain in terms of victories and without a doubt one of the finest captains in the country's history.
Also read: Tigers do enough to see off Latham's Black Caps in 2nd T20I
Mohammad Ashraful was the captain of Bangladesh's T20 team from 2007 to 2009. Bangladesh only won two games out of 11 when he was captain.
Bangladesh won the fourth-most T20I matches (7) under Shakib Al Hasan's leadership. Shakib captained Bangladesh in 21 games, winning 33.33 percent of the time. When Shakib was in charge, though, Bangladesh lost 14 games.
From 2014 to 2017, Mashrafe Mortaza captained Bangladesh in the most number of matches. The Bangladesh national cricket team improved tremendously under his leadership. Bangladesh won ten games when he was captain. Mashrafe also suffered the most losses (17) while captaining the Bangladesh national team.
Read Afghanistan U-19 team's tour of Bangladesh on: BCB
Twenty20 International Captaincy Record for Bangladesh
Player
Match
Won
Loss
%
Mashrafe Mortaza
28
10
17
37.03%
Mahmudullah Riyad
24
12
12
50%
Mushfiqur Rahim
23
08
14
36.36%
Shakib Al Hasan
21
07
14
33.33%
Mohammad Ashraful
11
02
09
18.18%
Liton Das
01
0
0
0.00
Shahriar Nafees
01
01
0
100%
Read ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Five Potential Replacements of Tamim Iqbal
BAN vs. NZ T20 Series: As It Stands
Mahmudullah Riyad became Bangladesh cricket's most successful T20I skipper after winning the low-scoring opening match of the BAN vs. NZ 2021 series. He extended his lead by winning the second match on Friday, (September 3).
Bangladesh will seal the series with two games left if they win the third match. Therefore, the third match is crucial for New Zealand to stay firm in the series.
There was heavy criticism regarding the slow pitch that took place in the opening match. New Zealand only scored 60 runs, and Bangladesh had to play 15 overs to reach the target. Following the first match, BCB’s Operations Committee Akram Khan told the media that they will prepare a better wicket for the second match to ensure a run-fest.
Read BAN vs. NZ 2021: Bangladesh Clinch Their First T20I Win Against New Zealand
Thankfully, the curator did a good job, putting up a better pitch for the second encounter. Batting first, Bangladesh made 141 runs in the second match and successfully defended the total. Bangladesh won the match by four runs in a closely contested encounter. We can anticipate New Zealand to play even better cricket on a more competitive surface in the third match.
Verdict
The team has improved under Mahmudullah Riyad's leadership after analyzing Bangladesh's T20I captains' performances. Mahmudullah has a genuine chance to improve his statistics as a skipper in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. Bangladesh are presently leading the series 2-0, with three more matches to be played. Bangladesh's main goal would be to win the series and then try to sweep New Zealand.
Mahmudullah's captaincy record will significantly improve if Bangladesh win the remaining matches in the BAN vs. NZ 2021 series. Bangladesh's players will gain confidence as a result of the series win ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in October.
Read Shakib admits pitch even 'tougher' than Australia series
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Five Potential Replacements of Tamim Iqbal
Bangladesh's most dependable opening batsman and ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal announced his unavailability for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 squad in a Facebook video message on Wednesday (September 1). The experienced opener feels it will be unfair to young players who have been performing well for the last one year and have earned a place in the T20 team. He is also unprepared for the approaching mega-event as he hasn't played T20 cricket since March 2020. In this article, we have explored five potential replacements of Tamim Iqbal in the Bangladesh team for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021.
Tamim Iqbal's T20I Career at a Glance
Tamim Iqbal holds the majority of Bangladesh's batting records in all formats. Tamim Iqbal keeps the records for most international runs (14,155), most international centuries (24), most international half-centuries (89), and most ODI runs (7,666). Tamim also holds the record for the most runs scored in a T20I innings for Bangladesh, with 103 against Oman.
Tamim Iqbal’s T20I statistics
Match
Inn
Runs
HS
S/R
Ave
100s
78
78
1,758
103*
116.96
24.08
1
Read: BAN vs. AUS 2021: How Bangladesh Team Shapes Up Without Tamim, Mushfiqur?
Five Players Who Can Replace Tamim Iqbal in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021
5) Nurul Hasan Sohan
T20I Stats: M: 18 | Inn: 18 | Runs: 148 | HS: 30* | S/R: 119.35 | 50s: 0
Nurul Hasan Sohan may not be Bangladesh's first pick to start the innings. He is more fitted to accelerate the run rates in the middle order. However, Nurul Hasan has played at the top of the order on the domestic circuit in T20 cricket. Bangladesh's team management may opt to open the innings with Nurul Hasan if anyone fails to deliver at the T20 World Cup.
4) Mahedi Hasan
T20I Stats: M: 15 | Inn: 11 | Runs: 119 | HS: 23 | S/R: 99.16 | 50s: 0
Mahedi Hasan has a solid track record as an opener in the domestic circuit. As a result, there's no reason why he shouldn't be considered to open the innings for Bangladesh in the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2021. He is also an excellent off-spinner. Bangladesh can incorporate an extra batsman in the middle order if he plays as an opener.
Read: Tamim to skip T20 World Cup, but he's not retiring
3) Soumya Sarkar
T20I Stats: M: 61| Inn: 61| Runs: 1,105| HS: 68| S/R: 123.60 | 50s: 5
Soumya Sarkar is one of the best available options for Bangladesh in the opening position. He has been used as an opener in recent years. Unfortunately, Soumya Sarkar is inconsistent with the bat, which is why he has yet to secure his spot in Bangladesh's playing XI. However, with Tamim Iqbal out of the World Cup, Soumya will almost likely start the innings for Bangladesh.
2) Mohammad Naim
T20I Stats: M: 18 | Inn: 18 | Runs: 466 | HS: 81 | S/R: 109.90 | 50s: 2
Mohammad Naim is almost certain to start as an opener in the 2021 World Cup. However, he hasn't been able to deliver consistent results with the bat lately. This tall aggressive-minded left-hand batsman needs to step up in the World Cup. Mohammad Naim can play the anchor role in batting for Bangladesh during the mega event.
Read: Tamim to miss home series against Australia, New Zealand
1) Liton Das
T20I Stats: M: 34 | Inn: 33| Runs: 647| HS: 61| S/R: 133.40 | 50s: 4
Liton Kumar Das has been one of Bangladesh's most successful opening batsmen in recent years. He is also known for being one of country's most elegant batsmen. Liton has struggled to find his rhythm with the bat since international cricket resumed at the beginning of this year. Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar will compete for an opening spot in Bangladesh's playing XI for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021.
Read:Tamim, Shohan guide Tigers to ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe
Verdict
Tamim Iqbal's T20I career stats shows that he is irreplaceable in the Bangladesh team when compared to the records of other Bangladesh top-order batsmen. Tamim Iqbal is the only Bangladesh batsman to have scored a century in all formats, and he can help to build the innings. Shakib or Mushfiqur will certainly play the anchor role for Bangladesh at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 in the absence of Tamim Iqbal. Whoever replaces Tamim Iqbal will have to play sensibly during the World Cup. Because advancing to the knockout stage would largely depend on the performance of Bangladesh's top-order batsmen.
BAN vs. NZ 2021: Bangladesh Clinch Their First T20I Win Against New Zealand
Bangladesh take a 1-0 lead in the BAN vs. NZ 2021 T20I series after defeating New Zealand by 7 wickets in the first match. Bangladesh will have a chance to extend their series lead if they win the second match on Friday (September 3). Bangladesh will be favorites in the next match if they can maintain their present form at home, but New Zealand will attempt to tie the series. Bangladesh's bowlers did an outstanding job in the first match, allowing the host to win easily. This article covers the opening match of the BAN vs. NZ 2021 Twenty20 International series.
BAN vs. NZ 2021: The First T20I Match Report
The weather was nice in Dhaka, ideal for a T20 contest. The New Zealand batsmen appeared to be battling with the pitch conditions throughout the game. They are not used to playing on such a spin surface, especially in T20 cricket.
Read: BAN vs. NZ 2021: Milestones Bangladesh Cricketers Can Achieve in the T20I Series
New Zealand made a poor decision by electing to bat first on an unfamiliar pitch. They kept losing wickets from the start of the innings and were finally bowled out for only 60 runs with 19 balls to spare, their lowest total ever in the T20 format. The Sri Lanka team similarly bowled New Zealand out for 60 runs in the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. The match took place at Chattogram.
Bangladesh’s Chase
Bangladesh's campaign was optimistic that they would be able to comfortably chase down the target after a stellar fielding effort. The New Zealand spinners, though, took two wickets quickly while defending the low total, making the Bangladesh camp panic. Mohammad Naim tried to find a gap in the cover region, but all he discovered was Henry Nicholls in the short cover.
Bangladesh found themselves in a tough position all of a sudden, and they were 7/2 at the time. Later, Bangladesh were able to turn the game around thanks to a 30-run partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Read Shakib admits pitch even 'tougher' than Australia series
The Shakib-Mushfiqur partnership took the total to 37 before newcomer Rachin Ravindra removed Shakib (25) with a length ball in the 10th over. Bangladesh didn't lose any wicket after that, and they comfortably reached the target in the last delivery of the 15th over. Mushfiqur Rahim (16) hit the winning shot in the deep midwicket area with his trademark pull shot. Captain Mahmudullah Riyad was undefeated for 14* runs.
New Zealand Innings
Mahmudullah Riyad handed the ball over to off-spinner Mahadi Hasan in search of an early breakthrough. He did not disappoint and Rachin Ravindra was out in the third ball of the innings.
Mahmudullah's strategy of using multiple spinners in the power play to unsettle the batsmen paid off well. He employed Mahadi, Shakib, Nasum, and Mustafizur in the power play and took four important wickets in the first four overs.
Read: BAN vs. NZ: Bangladesh's Three Memorable Victories Against New Zealand
Captain Tom Latham (18) and Henry Nicholls (18) tried to rebuild the innings with a 34-run stand for the fifth wicket, but it only lasted until the 11th over. New Zealand would have scored more than 100 runs in their innings if they had stayed at the crease till the end. Bangladesh would have struggled to chase 100 runs on such a pitch.
Mohammad Saifuddin broke this partnership, but all credit goes to Nasum Ahmed, who took a superb catch in the deep square leg region.
New Zealand were 43/5 at that stage, and they were on the verge of scoring their lowest ever T20I total. That fear came true as they were bowled out for 60 in 16.5 overs. The left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman did what he does best. He took three wickets in the death overs. Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, and Mohammad Saifuddin each took two wickets.
Read BCB announces new central contracts
Player of the Match
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was named Player of the Match for his excellent bowling and batting performance. Shakib's bowling figure in the match was 4-0-10-2, in addition to his 25 runs.
Bottom Line
A turning pitch aided Bangladesh spinners in choking out New Zealand batsmen in the opening of a five-match BAN vs. NZ 2021 series. Mustafizur Rahman was the only pacer in the playing XI for the host, and the strategy worked perfectly. Bangladesh's management is expected to use three spinners as well in the second encounter. However, New Zealand have more spinning choices than Australia, and they might cause Bangladesh batsmen more trouble than Australia did in the previous series. So, a spin-friendly pitch may not ensure Bangladesh's victory in every match in the series. The second encounter is likely to be much more exciting.
Read Bangladesh overpower New Zealand on tricky surface
PM greets Tigers for first ever T20 win against New Zealand
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday congratulated Bangladesh Cricket Team for their first ever T20 win over New Zealand.
Bangladesh team outplayed New Zealand by seven wickets in the first T20 played at Sher-e-Bangla national cricket stadium.
Read: Bangladesh overpower New Zealand on tricky surface
With this win, the host country is leading the five- match T20 series with 1-0.
BAN vs. NZ 2021: Milestones Bangladesh Cricketers Can Achieve in the T20I Series
The bilateral T20I series between Bangladesh and New Zealand will begin on Wednesday (September 1). This will be Bangladesh's last bilateral series before the Twenty20 World Cup. While New Zealand will play one more series in Pakistan. Bangladesh will have a genuine chance to beat New Zealand in a T20 format for the first time since the conditions are in their favor. Individually, cricketers will have the opportunity to achieve some personal milestones while playing in the series. In this article, we have listed a few anticipated milestones that Bangladesh cricketers can achieve during the BAN vs. NZ 2021 T20I series.
Read:New Zealand’s Ajaz confident of adapting to local conditions well
Milestones that Can be Achieved in the BAN vs. NZ 2021 Series
1000 International Runs
All-rounder Mosaddek Hossain needs only 16 runs to get 1,000 international runs. Mossadek has 984 runs in 59 international matches.
600 International Wickets
Bangladesh's best all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan needs only 6 wickets to get 600 international wickets. Shakib has collected 594 wickets in 357 appearances for Bangladesh.
200 International Wickets
Experienced bowler Rubel Hossain only needs 7 wickets to get 200 international wickets for Bangladesh. Rubel has 193 wickets in 159 appearances for Bangladesh.
150 International Wickets
Taijul Islam needs only three wickets to achieve the 150 international wickets landmark. In 44 appearances for Bangladesh, Taijul has 147 wickets.
Read:ENG vs. IND 2021:England Clinch Their First Win in ICC Test championship
150 International Catches
Mahmudullah Riyad needs six more catches to attain 150 international catches for Bangladesh.
100 International Catches
Only two catches are required for Shakib Al Hasan to reach 100 international catches for Bangladesh.
50 International Catches
Liton Das just needs three more catches to achieve 50 international catches for Bangladesh.
350 International Appearances
Mahmudullah Riyad has to play three more matches to reach 350 international appearances for Bangladesh.
Read:BAN vs. NZ Series 2021: Who Would Make Bangladesh-New Zealand Combined T20I XI?
2,000 T20I Runs for Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan has 1,718 runs for Bangladesh in 84 Twenty20 International matches. He only needs 282 runs to achieve the 2,000-run milestone in the T20 format.
100 T20I International Appearances
Mahmudullah Riyad has to participate in three more games to become the first Bangladeshi player to play 100 Twenty20 International matches.
50 T20I International Appearances
Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman needs two more games to earn 50 T20I appearances for Bangladesh.
Read: Tigers start training ahead of NZ T20Is
BAN vs. NZ 2021: Series Fixtures and Squads
Bangladesh and New Zealand will play a five-match bilateral series under a strict bio-bubble setup. The matches will be held on September 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10. All matches will be held at the SBNCS in Mirpur because both cricket boards have agreed to reduce the threat of coronavirus infection.
Squads
Bangladesh
Mahmudullah Riyad (captain), Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain, Afif Hossain, NurulHasan, MahediHasan, Shamim Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Aminul Islam
New Zealand
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, RachinRavindra, Ben Sears, Blair Tickner, Will Young
Read:Blackcaps arrive in Dhaka for T20 series
Bottom Line
All matches in the BAN vs. NZ 2021 series will be played in Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla national cricket stadium in order to maintain the covid-19 health protocols. Therefore, players will benefit as the matches will be played on similar pitches. Bangladesh cricketers will be able to reach the above-mentioned milestones if they can maintain consistency throughout the T20I series. However, the main goal for Bangladesh campaign would be to win the series against this second-string New Zealand team.
T20 Ranking : How Bangladesh Can Become No. 5 T20I Team at the End of the New Zealand series?
The New Zealand Cricket Board has permitted its players to participate in the rest of the IPL to enhance their preparation because the T20 World Cup will also be held in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Therefore, the NZC will send a second-string New Zealand squad to play Bangladesh in a five-match bilateral T20I series. Bangladesh have a good chance of winning the series if they play smart cricket. Bangladesh have also a chance to become the No. 5 T20I team after the end of the New Zealand series. Let's look at how Bangladesh can improve its ICC T20 ranking.
Ranking Scenarios at the end of BAN vs. NZ T20I Series 2021
Bangladesh climbed to No. 10 after a 4-1 victory against Australia in the T20I series. They have closed the gap with Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Afghanistan in terms of rating points. If Bangladesh repeat their performance in the next bilateral home series as they did in the Australia series, they may considerably improve their position in the ICC team rankings.
Read 100-Ball Cricket Match: Southern Brave Win Inaugural Tournament
If Bangladesh win the series, it will be bad news for New Zealand in terms of post-series rankings. New Zealand are ranked third in the ICC's T20 ranking for teams. However, if they lose all of their remaining matches, they will drop to fourth place. The following is the ranking scenario for the BAN vs. NZ series in 2021.
Bangladesh win (5-0)
Bangladesh would move up to fifth place in the ICC T20I team rankings with 248 rating points if they beat New Zealand 5-0. While New Zealand will drop to fourth place with 250 points.
Bangladesh win (4-1)
Bangladesh would move up to sixth place with 245 points if they defeat New Zealand 4-1. New Zealand will likewise drop a spot from their current ranking, with a rating point total of 253.
Read BAN vs. NZ 2021: How Bangladesh Can Clinch the T20I Series Against New Zealand
Bangladesh win (3-2)
Bangladesh would climb up to the sixth position with 241 points if they win the bilateral T20I series against New Zealand 3-2. New Zealand, on the other hand, will drop to fourth place with 256 points.
New Zealand win (3-2)
Even if Bangladesh lose the series 3-2 to New Zealand, their T20I team rankings will rise. With 238 rating points, Bangladesh will move up to seventh place. New Zealand will drop to fourth place with 259 rating points Due to two losses.
New Zealand win (4-1)
If New Zealand win the series 4-1 against Bangladesh, they will be able to maintain their current ICC T20I team rankings. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will maintain its present position in the rankings.
Read BAN vs. NZ T20I Series 2021: Bangladesh Squad Analysis
New Zealand win (5-0)
A clean sweep of Bangladesh by New Zealand would boost the Kiwis' rating points, but it wouldn't affect their standing at all. Despite the fact that Bangladesh will remain in the No.10 spot, they will lose some rating points in the process.
Verdict
The upcoming series will be New Zealand's second bilateral Twenty20I series in Bangladesh. Bangladesh's first target would be to win a T20I against New Zealand, something they had failed to achieve in the previous 10 meetings. Bangladesh will thereafter be aiming for a series victory.
If Bangladesh win the series against New Zealand, they will be able to improve their current T20 ranking. The number of games won by Bangladesh in the series will determine how far they may climb the rankings. Bangladesh will be the fifth-ranked T20I team in the ICC rankings if they whitewash New Zealand, which would be a historic feat.
Read ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Dubai to Host Epic India-Pakistan Group Stage Match
BAN vs. NZ 2021: How Bangladesh Can Clinch the T20I Series Against New Zealand
Bangladesh's dependable opener Tamim Iqbal has been ruled out due to injury, but Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das will be available, ensuring a full-strength Bangladesh lineup for the five-match Ban vs. NZ 2021 T20I series. The T20 World Cup team of New Zealand will not compete in the series. They will send an inexperienced team to Bangladesh. Given this, Bangladesh have a strong chance to upset New Zealand, since they have yet to defeat them in a T20 encounter. How Bangladesh can clinch the T20I series against New Zealand is discussed in this article.
What Bangladesh need to do to win the Ban vs. NZ 2021 Series?
Bangladesh and New Zealand will begin their bilateral Twenty20 International series in early September. The matches will be held on September 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10. All of the matches will take place at the SBNCS in Mirpur.
Having a game strategy for each match
Having a solid game plan is important in the T20 format. It is essential to put together the ideal playing XI after analyzing the opponent's weaknesses. Bangladesh's spin attack is formidable, and the Tigers' management must develop a clear strategy to defeat the Kiwis.
Mustafizur Rahman, in particular, has been in superb form, and they now have a variety of fast bowling options. It is possible to maintain total domination over New Zealand throughout the series if the plan is properly implemented.
Read BAN vs. NZ T20I Series 2021: Bangladesh Squad Analysis
Mahmudullah Riyad's inspirational leadership
Mahmudullah Riyad has shown in recent series that he is the ideal choice to captain Bangladesh's T20I team. He needs more time to achieve consistent success in this format. Mahmudullah's ability as captain will unveil on a true sporting pitch.
Mahmudullah should not be scared to make difficult decisions when required. He has to motivate the bowlers and make better decisions, especially when fielding. The captain's personality might affect the team's performance. So, the focus should be on his efforts to inspire the team to succeed.
Read ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Dubai to Host Epic India-Pakistan Group Stage Match
Partnerships are important to build a challenging total
We may witness slow surfaces in the BAN vs. NZ 2021 Twenty20 series. The batters in this series will have a tough time forming big partnerships. Batsmen will have a difficult time in the middle when faced with slower bowlers. Bangladesh batters, on the other hand, are well-versed with the conditions of the Mirpur surface.
They know how to score runs on this ground. Batters should be mindful of the pitch's potential dangers and modify their batting technique accordingly. Bangladesh's main goal should be to form at least two fifty-plus partnerships for a challenging total.
Read Mushfiqur, Liton return as Bangladesh announce squad for NZ T20Is
Concentrate on obtaining all of the opponent's wickets
New Zealand have a number of recognized power hitters who can destroy an opponent's bowling attack. So, picking up wickets at regular intervals will be the best way for Bangladesh to keep pressure on the Kiwi batting order.
Thankfully, Bangladesh have several potent spinners who can unsettle New Zealand's top and middle order. Nasum, Shakib, and Mahadi showcased their skills during the Australia series. The Australian batsmen had no idea how to deal with Bangladesh's powerful spin attack.
New Zealand batsmen are likely to struggle on a subcontinent pitch. They may find it difficult to cope with Bangladesh's spin bowling. Bangladesh will be able to put pressure on New Zealand if they continue to take wickets.
Read ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Who Are Favourites?
Verdict
Bangladesh have won five consecutive bilateral series, including series against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Australia. Bangladesh's campaign has gained a lot of confidence after winning the T20I series against powerful Australia at home earlier this month.
BCB will likely build favorable pitches for Bangladesh in order to win a Twenty20 series against New Zealand for the first time.BCB's decision to use more spin-friendly pitches against Australia has been criticized.
According to some experts, these kinds of pitches would not help Bangladesh prepare properly for the T20 World Cup. However, BCB may again use slow tracks in order to win the BAN vs. NZ 2021 series.
Read BAN vs. NZ 2021: Notable T20I Records Between Bangladesh and New Zealand
BAN vs. NZ T20I Series 2021: Bangladesh Squad Analysis
New Zealand cricket team will arrive in Bangladesh in the fourth week of August for a bilateral T20I series against Bangladesh, which will begin on September 1st. On Thursday (August 19), BCB revealed the squad for the series. BCB includes all of the expected names in the team for the next series. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has made young players a priority in the Twenty20 format. The Cricket Board appears to have a defined plan for the selection process, which is good for the team's future growth. Take a look at Bangladesh's squad for the BAN vs. NZ T20I Series 2021.
Bangladesh’s T20 Squad for BAN vs. NZ T20I Series 2021
BCB announced a 19-man squad on Thursday (August 19) for the Twenty20 series against New Zealand in September. The selectors have picked both Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das. They both missed the Australia series for breaching bio-bubble protocol. Tamim Iqbal was left off the list because he has yet to declare himself fit for selection.
Read ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Dubai to Host Epic India-Pakistan Group Stage Match
The selectors also have picked leg-spinner Aminul Islam Biplob for the series, indicating that he has a chance to make the T20 World Cup team. We should expect spin-friendly surfaces for the New Zealand series. Selectors may include Biplob for the World Cup if he shows promise during the bilateral contest.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Mithun Ali was not selected for the series. Lately, he was criticized for not being consistent enough to be a part of the Bangladesh squad. With the exception of him, all of the players that competed in the Australia series have been selected for the next home series.
Mahmudullah Riyad will be captaining the Bangladesh team. Liton is expected to open the innings with Mohammad Naim, with Mushfiqur at number four. Bangladesh will have a strong chance to win a T20 series against New Zealand since the Blackcaps will send a second-tier team.
Read Mushfiqur, Liton return as Bangladesh announce squad for NZ T20Is
Bangladesh Squad:
Mahmudullah Riyad (captain), Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain, Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Aminul Islam
Probable Bangladesh XI for the first T20I
Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad (captain), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed
The Declared Squad's Major Highlights
Mushfiqur and Liton have returned to the team
Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das were both unable to participate in the historic Twenty20 series against Australia earlier this month. Bangladesh went on to claim a 4-1 victory in the series. Mushfiqur had to leave the bio-bubble during his Zimbabwe tour due to his parent's illness, and Liton Das had to leave the bubble for personal reasons.
Read ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Who Are Favourites?
Aminul Biplob is still on Selectors' Radar
Aminul Islam Biplob made a fantastic debut in 2019, but he is yet to live up to expectations to earn a spot in the national squad. Though the selectors have not given up on him, they believe Aminul Biplob will be an important weapon for Bangladesh in the next series against New Zealand. Biplob may earn a spot in Bangladesh's 15-man T20 World Cup squad if he performs well throughout the series.
The World Cup Team will be Picked From this Squad
All of the predicted names have been selected for the New Zealand series, with the exception of veteran Tamim Iqbal. BCB will select players from this group for the World Cup. So, all 20 players will give it their all in the forthcoming series in order to secure a spot in Bangladesh's T20 World Cup 2021 team.
Read BAN vs. NZ 2021: Notable T20I Records Between Bangladesh and New Zealand
Final Thoughts
Bangladesh's T20 team will play New Zealand in a five-match series commencing September 1. This will be Bangladesh's final Twenty20 series before the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, which will take place in the months of October and November. So, Bangladesh will get another opportunity to prepare for the major event.
Beating this second-tier New Zealand team will not be impossible for Bangladesh if they play with their full ability. Moreover, the New Zealand team will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record in the T20 format against Bangladesh. The approaching BAN vs. NZ T20I Series 2021 will be fascinating to watch in this regard.
ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Dubai to Host Epic India-Pakistan Group Stage Match
The seventh edition of the T20 World Cup was postponed for a year due to the coronavirus. India was slated to host the event, but because of a massive outbreak of covid-19 in India, it will now be hosted by the UAE and Oman. The ICC has already announced the fixtures of the tournament. Interestingly, India and Pakistan are both placed in the same group of Super 12 round. The arch-rivals will go head-to-head in their Opening Encounter in Dubai on 24th October. The possibilities of India and Pakistan winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 have been discussed in this article.
What are the chances of India winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2021?
India are one of the favorite teams to win the seventh edition of the Twenty20 World Cup, which will begin in mid-October. India now have some good Twenty20 players by virtue of the IPL (franchise based T20 league). So, we should expect a well-balanced squad from India for the next mega event.
India have one of the finest batting lineups in the world. Led by flamboyant skipper Virat Kohli, India have power hitters Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Rishab Pant, and Hardik Pandya in their lineup. They are capable of scoring swiftly against any opponent in the world. So, India will have no problem scoring runs in this tournament.
Read Mushfiqur, Liton return as Bangladesh announce squad for NZ T20Is
India have a diverse bowling attack that can unsettle any batting lineup in the world. Bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Yuzvendra Chahal are all good in the T20 format. You may expect them to flourish for India in the competition.
India would be a difficult team to beat if they can establish their groove early in the tournament. India have failed to reach the final of any ICC limited-overs event since 2011. Can India win a limited-overs World Cup for the first time in ten years?
Five important players of India
Virat Kohli (batsman), Rohit Sharma (batsman), Hardik Pandya (All-rounder), Yuzvendra Chahal (Spinner), Jasprit Bumrah (medium-pacer)
Probable Squad of India
Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan (Wicket-Keeper), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (Wicket-Keeper), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
Read ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Who Are Favourites?
What are the chances of Pakistan winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2021?
Pakistan are one of the world's best limited-overs national teams. They have some talented players in the Twenty20 format. We should expect them to go all out for the big tournament. Pakistan may be one of the top contenders to win the ICC T20 World Cup this year if they can maintain consistency throughout the tournament.
Pakistan's premier batsman Captain Babar Azam is ranked among the best batters in the ICC rankings across all formats. Pakistan's batting lineup also includes Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafiz, and Shoaib Malik. These players have a lot of experience on the international stage and they know how to win big trophies.
Read BAN vs. NZ 2021: Notable T20I Records Between Bangladesh and New Zealand
Pakistan have always produced great fast bowlers, and the current side has a few dangerous pacers as well. Shaheen Shah Afridi has established himself as Pakistan's premier strike bowler over the last two years. Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Nawaz are all capable of upsetting the batting lineups of the opponent.
Pakistan will be a deadly side in the upcoming tournament if they can find their best form. Pakistan's lone T20 World Cup triumph came in 2009. Will Pakistan win its second Twenty20 World Cup in November?
Five important players of Pakistan
Babar Azam (batsman), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicket-keeper & batsman), Mohammad Hafeez (all-rounder), Shoaib Malik (all-rounder), Hasan Ali(medium-pacer)
Read ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Bangladesh Cricket Team’s Full Schedule
Probable Squad of Pakistan
Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicket-Keeper), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sharjeel Khan, Haider Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Qadir, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Danish Aziz, Arshad Iqbal
Verdict
After assessing both sides' squad depths, it is clear that India and Pakistan are the two strong contenders for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. The two teams will meet in the Super 12 stage's opening match of Group 2 on October 24. In that match, we will be able to see how competitive they are with one another. Whoever win their first match will have a greater belief in their own capabilities. Both India and Pakistan's players are expected to give it their all in this blockbuster contest.
Read T20 World Cup: Bangladesh to take on Scotland on opening day
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Who Are Favourites?
The seventh edition of the Twenty20 World Cup will be held in the UAE and Oman. The 16-team competition will begin on October 17th. The month-long tournament will end on November 14 with the final match. The championship will include 12 Test-playing nations and four ICC associate members. The event will be split into two rounds. Eight teams will compete in the Round 1. The top four teams from Round 1 will advance to the Super 12 round. This round will feature 12 teams separated into two groups. Let's have a look at the favourites for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021?
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Super 12 Fixtures
The Super 12 round will be held from October 23 till November 8. There will be a total of twelve teams in this round, divided into two groups. In Group 1, Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies, the winner of group A (Round 1) and the runner-up of group B (Round 1) will compete with each other.
The teams who will participate in Round 1 are as follows:
Group A: Sri Lanka, Namibia, the Netherlands, and Ireland
Group B: Bangladesh, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, and Oman
Read: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Bangladesh Cricket Team’s Full Schedule
Group 1 fixtures
Date
Matches
Venue
23/10/2021
Australia vs. South Africa
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
23/10/2021
England vs. Windies
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
24/10/2021
A1 vs. B2
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
26/10/2021
South Africa vs. Windies
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
27/10/2021
England vs. B2
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
28/10/2021
Australia vs. A1
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
29/10/2021
Windies vs. B2
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
30/10/2021
South Africa vs. A1
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
30/10/2021
England vs. Australia
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
01/11/2021
England vs. A1
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
02/11/2021
South Africa vs. B2
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
04/11/2021
Australia vs. B2
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
04/11/2021
Windies vs. A1
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
06/11/2021
Australia vs. Windies
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
06/11/2021
England vs. South Africa
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Source: https://www.icc-cricket.com/
Read BAN vs. NZ 2021: Notable T20I Records Between Bangladesh and New Zealand
Most of the teams in Group 2 are from Asia. This group will feature India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, New Zealand, the winner of Group B (Round 1), and the runner-up of Group A (Round 1). Each group's top two teams will advance to the semifinals.
Group 2 fixtures
Date
Matches
Venue
24/10/2021
India vs. Pakistan
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
25/10/2021
Afghanistan vs. B1
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
26/10/2021
Pakistan vs. New Zealand
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
27/10/2021
B1 vs. A2
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
29/10/2021
Afghanistan vs. Pakistan
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
31/10/2021
Afghanistan vs. A2
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
31/10/2021
India vs. New Zealand
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
02/11/2021
Pakistan vs. A2
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
03/11/2021
New Zealand vs. B1
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
03/11/2021
India vs. Afghanistan
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
05/11/2021
New Zealand vs. A2
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
05/11/2021
India vs. B1
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
07/11/2021
New Zealand vs. Afghanistan
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
07/11/2021
Pakistan vs. B1
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
08/11/2021
India vs. A2
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Source: https://www.icc-cricket.com/
Read: Shakib Al Hasan Reclaims No.1 Spot in T20I Rankings, Wins ICC's POTM Award for July 2021
Who are the Favourites to WinICC T20 World Cup 2021?
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 will be staged in Asia. Therefore, Asian teams will have a significant edge during the competition. The Asian players will certainly benefit from the environment, weather conditions, and pitches. In this perspective, the Asian heavyweights, India and Pakistan, will be heavy favorites to win this year's competition.
Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka are the other Asian countries whose main goal is to get to the knockout stage (semifinals). It will be a huge accomplishment for them if they can do that.
Aside from Asian nations, the West Indies, England, and New Zealand have a decent chance to win the tournament if they play with their full potential. These three teams have a formidable squad that will allow them to dominate their opponents all through competition. Australia and South Africa have a chance, but they are hardly the tournament favorites. Those who can shine in the Super 12 round have good chances of winning this T20 World Cup.
Read: Shakib Al Hasan Favourite to Win ICC’s Player of the Month for July
Verdict
According to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 schedule, at least one Asian team from Group 2 will proceed to the semifinals. Because New Zealand are the group's only other non-Asian strong team. On the other side, in Group 1, the favourites to advance to the semifinals are England and the West Indies. However, all of the equations may change once the tournament begins. Each team strives to give their best in the major event and we might see some major upsets during the tournament. Overall, the Twenty20 World Cup 2021 is expected to be a competitive and interesting event.