NZ vs BAN Match Prediction & Betting Tips - Dec 27, 2023
New Zealand and Bangladesh will contest the first T20I of their three-match series. The Black Caps and Tigers currently occupy second and ninth position, respectively, in the International Cricket Council's rankings for T20I teams.
Both teams are effectively preparing for next year's T20 World Cup. There will be plenty to bet on before and during this series opener. Let's see what the betting odds and cricket markets have in store.
New Zealand vs Bangladesh head-to-head record
New Zealand have four victories to Bangladesh's one in their last five T20I meetings. Overall, the Kiwis have beaten Bangladesh 14 times in this format of the international game - and the Tigers have won three times.
New Zealand vs Bangladesh live streaming and broadcast
You can watch this match and the rest of the series on the FanCode app in India. This is a great way to follow live international cricket from India.
NZ vs BAN Team Previews
New Zealand
New Zealand won the preceding ODI series against Bangladesh and now have the opportunity to do the same in the shorter format. They have a well-balanced squad for the T20Is and, with their home advantage, are certainly the favourites to win this match and the series.
All eyes will be on Daryl Mitchell, who recently landed a big payday during the Indian Premier League auction. Mitchell will play for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2024 IPL - and here is a big chance to show his latest employers exactly what he is about with bat and ball.
Mitchell's role as an all-rounder is going to be particularly key in the absence of batter Kane Williamson and fast bowler Kyle Jamieson. Both were named in the squad originally, but later withdrew. Mitchell will have another seaming all-rounder alongside him in Jimmy Neesham.
Ben Sears has not played international cricket in more than a year, but will be eager to impress against the country he debuted against back in 2021. Sears is an exciting prospect and, alongside Jacob Duffy, can learn a lot from the presence of Tim Southee and Adam Milne during this series.
New Zealand Playing 11
Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh lost the recent ODI series against New Zealand, but put in a convincing nine-wicket win in the final fixture for some consolation. This should give them plenty of confidence going into the T20Is, as they seek to outdo the home favourites in foreign conditions.
Shoriful Islam was outstanding for the Tigers during the ODI series. He took six wickets in three matches and has been named in the T20I squad, too. He can carry his success in the intermediate format to T20 cricket this month. Islam has good pace and bowls consistently threatening lines and lengths.
Soumya Sarkar is the one to watch with the bat. He, too, performed well during the ODIs en route to 173 runs in three innings. That tally included a hefty 169 in the second fixture in Nelson. He knows how to put together big innings in challenging conditions in New Zealand.
Bangladesh had a disappointing 2023 Cricket World Cup campaign, but are now working on succeeding in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Victory over New Zealand - or at least strong performances - would go a long way in showing fans and critics alike they mean business in the immediate and long-term future.
Bangladesh Playing 11
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, Rony Talukdar, Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
NZ vs BAN Toss Prediction
The first T20I will be played at McLean Park, where Bangladesh won the final ODI a few days ago.
The last five T20Is at this ground have yielded two wins for the team that batted first, two for the team that bowled first - and one tie.
Three of the last four T20Is here have seen the toss-winning captain chose to bowl first. The side to win the toss this time, too, will likely elect to bat second.
Read our guide on toss predictions to learn how we analyze and come up with our tips.
Pitch and Conditions
The last three first-innings totals in T20I competition at this ground have been 173, 160 and 173. A first-innings score of 170-plus can be considered competitive here.
The square boundaries at McLean Park are relatively short - and the batters could target the spinners because of this. There is no forecast in Napier on matchday. We should get a full fixture in.
NZ vs BAN Betting Tips
Bangladesh should win this match against a weakened New Zealand outfit who are minus a few first-choice stars. The Tigers beat New Zealand in the final ODI and can take that momentum into this opening T20I.
Bet on 4.52 underdogs Bangladesh to win this match - this could bring good value. New Zealand are priced as 1.20 favourites.
Bonus Cricket Bets
Sarkar got to know conditions and the opposition bowling attack well during the ODI series. He could open the batting again and have a big opportunity to score quickly and freely during the opening powerplay.
Sears will have a major role to play in the absence of Jamieson. Conditions in Napier look primed for the young seamer to succeed.
Mitchell, as an all-rounder, will be able to make an impact with bat and ball. The new CSK recruit is in a good position to star across both disciplines in this series opener.
Who will win NZ vs BAN
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Match Predictions
Cricket Betting Tips
- Highest opening partnership - India W (1.55) and 1 more BANW vs INDW betting tip
- Total runs in the highest scoring over of the match - Over 22.5 (1.95) and 2 more MI vs SRH betting tips
- Nazmul Hossain Shanto to become the top batter. - 4.10 and 3 more BAN vs ZIM betting tips
- Delhi Capitals to win the toss - 1.90 and 4 more DC vs RR betting tips
We are eager to know what you think of our match predictions, if there is anything we can do better or if you want to let us know your own predictions for the match.