On Friday, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, New Zealand and Bangladesh are set for their upcoming game in the 2023 World Cup. Both teams are playing for important points.
New Zealand has been performing brilliantly in this World Cup. They’ve won both their matches so far, beating England in Ahmedabad and then overcoming the Netherlands in Hyderabad. Right now, they’re leading the table with four points. And they’ve managed these wins even though some of their main players, like Kane Williamson and Tim Southee, are recovering from injuries. They even played without Lockie Ferguson against England.
Bangladesh’s performance has been mixed. They started with a solid win over Afghanistan in Dharamsala. However, they faced a big loss against England, going down by 137 runs. Given Chennai’s conditions, which can favour spin, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan-led side might find an advantage. But they need to improve both their bowling and batting to bounce back.
Recent Performances: New Zealand came to India after playing series against England and Bangladesh. While they faced a 3-1 defeat against England, they beat Bangladesh 2-0. They also won their warm-up matches against Pakistan and South Africa. Starting the World Cup, they’ve been in top form, beating both England and the Netherlands with convincing margins.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, struggled in the Asia Cup, where they couldn’t make it past the Super Fours. But a win against India in a non-crucial match gave them some confidence. They started the World Cup with a win against Afghanistan, but then faltered against England.
Past Encounters: When it comes to ODI matches, New Zealand and Bangladesh have played 41 times. New Zealand has the upper hand with 30 wins. In World Cup matches specifically, New Zealand has a 5-0 lead.
Players to Watch:
Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand): He has been a standout player, especially with his century against England. Batting early, he has the chance to set the game’s tone. Also, his spin bowling can be handy in Chennai.
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): Shakib is vital for Bangladesh. As an all-rounder, he can change the game with both bat and ball. He was notable against Afghanistan and even made a dent in the strong English batting line-up.
Predicted Line-ups: New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson (captain), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Who Will Win? New Zealand has the form and the record in their favour, making them the favourites. However, Bangladesh, especially in spin-friendly conditions, can surprise anyone. But considering recent performances, New Zealand seems to have the edge in this match.
