Tigers badly need to win todays match against NZ
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh will take on New Zealand in the last match of the Tri-nation series today at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin. The match is dubbed as inconsequential one after New Zealand confirmed their title by winning three straight matches. But for Bangladesh, its a crucial match should they want to brighten their chance to make a direct qualification to the ICC 2019 World Cup. A victory against New Zealand would give seventh ranked Bangladesh three crucial points and thereby they will go up to 93 points to increase the lead over eighth ranked Pakistan (88).
Bangladeshs first match against Ireland was washed out after which they tasted a four-wicket defeat to New Zealand. Bangladesh thereafter crushed Ireland by eight wickets to confirm they would be second to New Zealand in the series. The way the match is important to Bangladesh to improve their ranking points, it is equally crucial for in-form opener Soumya Sarkar and pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman. Soumya needed just 75 runs to be the fastest Bangladeshi player to reach 1000 runs, bettering the record of Shariar Nafees who reached the landmark in 29 matches. Soumya played just 26 matches and given the form, he could go past Nafees in his 27th match. He would be 24th fastest player in the world to reach the 1000 runs mark.
Mustafizur however stands on a chance of a more glorious feat. He needs eight wickets to complete 50 wickets. It is unlikely for the Cutter Master to displace Ajantha Mendis from the top position. Once a mystery bowler, Mendis is still the fastest to reach 50-wicket mark in just 19 matches. The second one is Indian pace Ajit Agarkar who took 50-wicket in 23 matches. If not Mendis, Mustafizur could topple Agarkar and given the form (since he makes it habit to claim five wickets), he even could share the record with Mendis if he could take eight wickets in two matches. So a good performance against New Zealand is mandatory for both Soumya and Mustafizur.
New Zealand, who are playing a second-string side for the tournament, will have the services of their regular skipper Kane Williamson and other prominent members such as Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme back for the Champions Trophy. They were away in India, playing Indian Premier League (IPL), which concluded on Sunday. Tom Latham has, however, led from the front in this tournament and is the leading run-scorer with 173 runs at 57.66. He has rallied his troops well and churned out the results.
New Zealand have been mixing up their XI in the series. If New Zealand do go in with four seamers, including Corey Anderson in this match once again, Adam Milne and Henry seem to be sure starters. However, there will be competition between Rance, Kuggeleign and Bennett for the final pacers slot.
Bangladesh, in their previous match, had an easy outing against Ireland. All-rounder Sunzamul Islam was handed an ODI debut and he responded with 2 for 22 from his 5 overs. Bangladesh preferred Sunzamul ahead of Mehedi Hasan and the gamble paid off. Bangladesh are well equipped in the fast-bowling area. The likes of Rubel Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza and Mustafizur Rahman have bowled well together. Also, Taskin Ahmed will be available, if needed. However, Bangladesh have indicated Rubel, Mortaza and Mustafizur will be their first-choice pacers. They might experiment with Taskin in this match in a couple of warm-up matches after this, but the young pacer will find it difficult to break into this team. Rain might interrupt play. However, there is no rain threat for a large portion of the match, which is good news for both teams and also the crowd in attendance.
