NZ vs BAN Prediction- Who Will Win The Match Between New Zealand vs Bangladesh, New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2022, 1st Test

December 31, 2021

Image Source: Twitter

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New Zealand and Bangladesh are set to take on each other in the first of the two Tests at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from 1^st to 5^th January 2022. The New Zealand Cricket Team exhibited a below-par showing in the recent Test series in India. They lost the series by a margin of 0-1. Though, it was a rare series defeat for them as their recent performance in Test Cricket is nothing short of sensational.

In the last 11 Tests, New Zealand have managed to win on 8 occasions. They are yet to lose a Test match against Bangladesh. The last time when New Zealand played against Bangladesh in 2019, they beat them by an innings and 12 runs. Unfortunately, Kane Williamson will miss out on the series due to an elbow injury. Tom Latham will once again lead the side in his absence.

Latham is in imperious form with the bat. He will be the biggest bet in the batting department. He will open the batting alongside Will Young. With Williamson not there, Daryl Mitchell should come at number three. He played an outstanding knock in his last Test innings in India. Mitchell should look to carry that form into the home series. For Ross Taylor, the upcoming series will be his last one.

He would look to sign off with a great series with the bat. Ajaz Patel, who picked 10 wickets in an innings in India didn’t find a place in the squad. New Zealand are likely to come up with an all-pace attack in the seaming conditions. The likes of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Jamieson, and Neil Wagner are expected to be part of the playing XI.

Facing them are Bangladesh, who are searching for their first Test win against New Zealand. In 15 Tests against New Zealand, Bangladesh haven’t been able to win a single Test in their Test Cricket history. Their recent form doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence either. Bangladesh are coming into this series on the back of a 0-2 defeat in the recent home Test series against Pakistan.

For Bangladesh to make a statement in New Zealand, they will have to bat well against a solid New Zealand bowling unit. The onus will be on the likes of Liton Das, M Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim. Liton Das has been in blistering form, of late. He will be the man to watch out for. Das was the second-highest run-scorer in the recent home Test series against Pakistan. In 2 Tests, he managed to score 224 runs at 56.00.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das — Image Source: Twitter

With the ball, Taijul Islam will be the main man. He has been brilliant with his spin bowling exploits. He took 10 wickets in 2 Tests against Pakistan. However, the seaming conditions in New Zealand might not help him to make a similar impact with the ball.

The Tigers are likely to play at least three seamers for the first Test, namely Khaled Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Taskin Ahmed. Abu Jayed picked three wickets in the recent 2-day practice match, while Taksin Ahmed picked two.