Cricket Betting: New Zealand vs Bangladesh ODI Series Preview

Bangladesh is fast gaining reputation as one of the giant killers in the form of the game, but they come up against alien conditions and familiar opposition when they take on New Zealand in the three-match ODI series starting on December 26.

Can the Kiwis recover?

New Zealand take pride in being a very good ODI side, but that reputation took a dent from the 3-0 hiding they recently took at the hands of Australia. Although it was away from home, and the Kiwis were missing some regulars, it was nevertheless a performance they want to forget soon.

Batting still seems a worry for the hosts with just Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson looking steady in the top order. The recall of Neil Broom after six years is a positive sign. Luke Ronchi also comes back in the place of BJ Watling and should add aggression down the order.

Can Bangladesh make a statement away from home?

For many, this is the golden group of players from Bangladesh. With experience and expertise covering all bases, they look set to make a statement away from home. Although they lost in the lone warm-up, the Tigers have enough talent to surprise the hosts.

Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan will continue to be torch bearers with the bat, although Mahmudullah will have fond memories of this region from the World Cup. Bowling looks exciting too with Mustafizur Rahman coming back from injury and looking to make up for the lost time.

Series picks

Irrespective of the conditions, this Bangladesh side should give a better fight than the sides that toured earlier. New Zealand still look good to win the series and it could be a 2-1 result in favor of the Kiwis.

Guptill looked in cracking form against the Aussies and should once again be front runner to lead the batting charts for the hosts. Mustafizur is exciting to watch with his array of slower balls and is a good pick to be Bangladesh’s best bowler.

Looking at the First Match

New Zealand should be your pick for winning the first match but there is hardly any value in that punt. Guptill’s form with the bat was irresistible in Australia and should continue that form in this match. Back him to be New Zealand top batsman.

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