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Bangladesh cricket team is looking forward to sealing the series today as they take on New Zealand on the third match of the five-match twenty20 international series on Sunday.
The Tigers lead the series by 2-0 but the Blackcaps are catching up fast as they almost levelled the series in the second game. But a dramatic last over by Mustafizur Rahman handed Bangladesh a close victory by only four runs.
The wicket of Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium is facing constant criticism from the visitors as New Zealand captain Tom Latham said after the second match that a better surface makes for a better game. Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam thinks it is not all about the pitch.
“You will get five or seven wickets by bowing on a spin-friendly wicket which is an absolutely wrong concept. Whether it is a spin wicket or flat, bowing in the right area is always important. I think our bowlers are bowling with discipline and bowling in the right areas. That is why Shakib (Al Hasan) bhai, Mahedi (Hasan), Nasum (Ahmed) and the pacers are doing well,” Taijul told the media in a video message.
Bangladesh T20I captain Mahmudullah is appearing in his 100th T20 match today, making him the country’s first cricketer to reach the landmark though he is not showing many emotions.
“No special plan. What I always try and will try to do is to contribute to the team. I would like to play for the team. I hope that I will try to stay fit and play my 100th game successfully and contribute to the team,” he told the media.
From today’s match, Mushfiqur Rahim will take back his position behind the stumps as told by head coach Russel Domingo in the press conference before the series.
Mushfiq, so far, is the most successful fielder for Bangladesh in the series as he took four catches in two matches.
As Mushfiq will take the gloves, Nurul Hasan Sohan might lose his place in the playing XI, and the team management might give Shamim Hossain some chances to flex his muscles against the Kiwis.
Shamim’s teammate in the U-19 World Cup, Shoriful Islam also might return to the playing XI as Mohammad Saifuddin was expensive in the last match.
For New Zealand, this is now or never as they must win the match to save themselves from a straight third limited-overs series defeat in Bangladesh.
Earlier, they lost the five-match ODI series by 4-0 in 2010, one match was rain-washed and later in 2013, the kiwis also lost to Bangladesh 3-0 in the ODI series.
Latham almost levelled the series in the second game but fell short by just four runs, and that must be inspiring the team for the next game.
Moreover, Finn Allen is now available, and he joined the optional training on Saturday, and today he might get a chance in the playing XI for Tom Blundell, who scored only six and two runs in the previous two matches.
Bangladesh are already sixth in the ICC T20I rankings, and a 5-0 series win will give them a chance to climb to fifth.
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is only two wickets short of becoming the highest wicket-taker in T20I history. He currently sits behind Lasith Malinga, who has 107 scalps.
