DHAKA: Bangladesh are facing New Zealand’s bowlers in the teams’ last ICC Cricket World Cup Pool A match at Seddon Park, Hamilton Friday morning.
The match kicked off at 7:00am Bangladesh time.
Tamim Iqbal began Bangladesh’s innings with Imrul Kayes on the other end of the crease. New Zeeland’s Tim Southee bowled the first over of the innings.
Earlier, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and opted to field.
Bangladesh brought two changes to the team. Shakib Al Hasan led the Tigers as Masrafe Mortaza has been given rest. Taijul Islam and Nasir Hossain come in for Arafat Sunny and Masrafe Mortaza.
New Zealand have replaced the ailing Mline with McClenaghan.
The weather is quite humid, and the pitch has been under covers for the past 24 hours. There was about 15mm of rain falling during that time. It could be a bit soft for the bowlers. This is all the home ground for Boult, Southee and Vettori."
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Though Bangladesh have already qualified for the quarterfinals, players want to keep the winning streak continue.
Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum said pace bowlers of Bangladesh will pose a real challenge for his batsmen.
He said, “I think what we saw the other night with a couple of the guys there, the threat that they pose with ball in hand for their quick bowlers is a lot more dangerous than a few years ago.”
Teams
New Zealand
Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum*, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi†, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan
Bangladesh
Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan*, Mushfiqur Rahim†, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed
BDST: 0705 HRS, MAR 12, 2015