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Match: New Zealand v Bangladesh, 1st ODI
Date: 26 December, Monday
Time: 6am SGT/3:30am IST/10pm GMT (Sunday)
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
TV Channel: In Singapore, there is no live TV coverage of the match.
Live streaming: Sky Go
Overview
Bangladesh have had tremendous success in the limited-overs format since they stunned England to reach the quarter-final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. The Tigers have been roaring at home and have defeated the likes of Pakistan, South Africa and India to remain unbeaten for five successive One Day International series until they lost 2-1 to England in October.
However, the real test begins for the Tiger from this Monday when they will play their first overseas match since the 2015 World Cup Down Under. They are up against a New Zealand side that is low on confidence after back-to-back defeats to India and Australia.
Bangladesh have announced a squad of the three-match ODI series with more focus on their quicks. Mustafizur Rahman, who was instrumental in their wins against India and South Africa, is back after a six-month injury layoff. They also have recalled Rubel Hossain, who can form a formidable partnership with skipper Mortaza and Taskin Ahmed.
Shakib Al Hasan has already made his impact by picking up three wickets in the tour game against New Zealand XI, which the Bangladesh team lost by three wickets. Off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who decimated England with 19 wickets in two Tests, is likely to make his ODI debut Down Under.
The likes of Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim need to step up in testing conditions to show the way for the young batsmen in the team.
On the other hand, Kane Williamson men will be looking to get back to winning ways after a tough last two months. The Black Caps have recalled Neil Bloom and Luke Ronchi in the squad and have the likes of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson to exploit the pacer-friendly conditions.
While New Zealand are the favourites, the fact that they have picked a full-strength squad shows that they are not willing to take the in-form Bangladesh lightly.
TV Schedule
Bangladesh: BTV
New Zealand: Sky Sport 1
Pakistan: PTV Sports
Middle East: OSN Sports
UK: Sky Sports 2
Sri Lanka: TNL TV
US: Willow TV
Team News
New Zealand
Squad: Williamson (c), Boult, Broom, Grandhomme, Ferguson, Guptill, Henry, Latham, Munro, Neesham, Ronchi (wk), Santner, Southee
Bangladesh
Squad: Mortaza (c), Shakib, Kayes, Mahmudullah, Miraz, Mosaddek,Mushfiqur (wk), Mustafizur, Rubel, Sabbir, Soumya, Subashis, Tamim, Tanbir, Taskin
