Less than a week after winning an ODI series against Bangladesh, New Zealand have the chance to wrap up another series win on Friday, this time in the T20 format. An opening win on Tuesday put them one up with two to play so a win in the second game will earn them the series.
Bangladesh are yet to win a match on this tour and they have to end that poor trot if they are to force a decider at the weekend. It will be interesting to see how they approach this one.
New Zealand
It doesn’t seem to matter what strength of bowling attack the Kiwis put out they still seem to have too much for Bangladesh. In the first match of the series both Trent Boult and Tim Southee were rested but New Zealand still had the upper hand with the ball and the longer that goes on the better they will be.
It isn’t all hunky dory for the Kiwis though. Their top order is still not delivering as a unit and while they are helped by having a genuine world class act in the form of Kane Williamson they can’t keep relying on their captain to get them out of sticky situations. At some point the others need to stand up and be counted.
Bangladesh
In nearly every match they have played on this tour Bangladesh have been in a good position when they have had the ball in hand but each time they have struggled to close the show and that has cost them. Although they have a death bowler extraordinaire in Mustafizur Rahman they need someone else to step up to the plate.
Just like New Zealand, Bangladesh could do with their top order stepping up and being counted. They have a much improved top three in limited overs formats of the game but they haven’t fired as a collective yet. A lot of that is down to the bowling they have faced but they are all experienced players now who need to take responsibility.
Team News
New Zealand are going to be forced into a change as Neil Broom has been ruled out of the series with a fractured finger. George Worker has been called up in what could be their only change.
Bangladesh may look to change things up in the search for the perfect combination with the ball. On a tacky wicket another spinner could come into the side.
Betting
Although Bangladesh haven’t won a match on this tour yet they have been competitive for large periods so I suspect a handicap which looks to be weighted on the end result rather than the balance of play is slightly too big on the tourists.
In the first T20 this handicap would have been covered inside 10 overs and Bangladesh have had no problems all tour taking wickets. They’ve struggled more with the bat but 30 runs is a lot for a misfiring New Zealand top order to cover if they bat first especially on New Zealand grounds which are hard to defend. I’m with the tourists on this cap.
Tips
Back Bangladesh (+6.5wickets/29.5runs) to beat New Zealand for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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