There is something about underdogs emerging victorious against an overwhelming favourite opponent. New Zealand are the World Test Champions and are playing their best cricket across formats for the few years. But the comparatively minnow side, Bangladesh travelled to New Zealand as ‘underdogs’ and haunted them with the help of collective efforts from the players. On the contrary, New Zealand were literally taken aback by Bangladesh’s attack.
The World Test champions were shown no mercy at home as they lost the first Test by 8 wickets at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. The Tigers scripted history as they registered their first win over New Zealand in Test cricket. They have taken 1-0 lead over Kiwis in this two-match series. They just need to hang on and play sensible cricket in the second Test match on Sunday (January 9) in order to seal the Test series.
The Kiwis played three games so far in the second cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. They lost two games and have drawn once. Bangladesh are sixth on the table with 1 win and 2 defeats and secured 12 points.
Ebadot Hossain was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh in the first Test. He might have taken just one wicket in the first innings but he accounted for six dismissals in the second innings.
Hossain contained the opposition team quite well and that helped Bangladesh chase down the target easily. New Zealand are 8th in the ICC World Test Championship points table with four points.
On the other hand, it will be a task cut out for Kiwis as they will be eyeing a strong comeback as action now moves to Christchurch for the second and the final Test of the series. They were ouplayed by Bangladesh in both batting and bowling departments.
Their batting too after an impressive century by Devon Conway in the first innings crumbled under pressure in the second innings.Kiwis really have to put up an ace performance to tame the resurgent Bangladesh and level the series 1-1. Meanwhile, Ross Taylor will be playing his final Test and Black Caps along with the veteran batter will be expected to come out all guns blazing and give a befitting send-off to one of the their greatest players of all time.
New Zealand probable XI: Tom Latham (Captain), Will Young, Devon Conway, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Rachin Ravindra/Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.
Bangladesh probable XI: Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (wk), Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain
