Two full-time spinners in both XIs with the visitors aiming for their first victory in three attempts at Napier
In the opening Twenty20 International match between Bangladesh and New Zealand, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto chose to chase at the toss, despite overcast evening circumstances that welcomed both teams in Napier and some rain forecast for the second session. Tanzim Hasan Sakib, a right-arm fast, also received his debut from him. Mitchell Santner captained the hosts for the opening of the three-match series as Kane Williamson rested from the Twenty20 Internationals on medical advice.
Rachin Ravindra, who replaced Williamson, was left out of the starting lineup because the top four hitters on the card were Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips. The middle and lower order left-hand batsmen in New Zealand complete the batting lineup. In addition to three quicks, James Neesham, Mitchell, and Phillips could be viable choices. Santner and Ish Sodhi provide spin options. Despite being initially included in the squad, Kyle Jamieson was unable to participate in the match and the series.
After scoring a career-high 151 from 151 balls in the second ODI, Soumya Sarkar was able to maintain his position as Bangladesh’s opener. He will open with Litton Das and last played a Twenty20 International in November of 2022. Bangladesh has chosen to use Tanzim’s pace, two left-arm seamers, Rishad Hossain’s legspin, and Mahedi Hasan’s offspin.
The hosts had only won two Twenty20 International matches at Napier in their five prior visits. However, those two wins occurred in the face of Bangladesh in 2017 and 2021.
