New Zealand Women vs Bangladesh Women, Bangladesh Women tour of New Zealand, 2022, Today Match Prediction 04 December 2022

nzw vs banw Match Prediction & Analysis

New Zealand have started the series on such a dominating note that it will be a herculean task for the hosts to bounce back. Bangladesh were already the underdogs coming to New Zealand.

The hosts have greater experience not only at the international level but also playing the WBBL. It wasn’t going to be an easy outing for the visitors but the way they folded while chasing a competitive total isn’t forgettable.

Putting the 1st T20I behind them will not be easy for the Bangladesh Women, especially when they come to the University Oval in Dunedin. The pitch at this venue is said to be ideal for the bowlers. 

The Kiwi bowlers have already destroyed the Bangladeshi batting lineup once. And with the momentum on their side, they can be expected to continue their dominance in the 2nd T20I. 

Bangladesh Women also have some effective bowlers who shined during the Asia Cup. Skipper Nigar Sultana would be hoping that Rumana Ahmed, Salma Khatun, and Sanjida Akter make the most of the pitch and help Bangladesh get an advantage over the hosts.

TEAMS PREVIEW

New Zealand Women Preview

There are a few players in this squad who have joined the team after playing in the WBBL recently. Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu are among those players who have brought form, momentum, and confidence from their stints with WBBL franchises.

Apart from the possibility that the pitch can help Bangladeshi bowlers to get an upper hand in the game, things seem to be pretty much in favour of the hosts. The squad strength, familiarity with the home conditions, current form, and consistent match time for the key players are all factors likely to seal the series for New Zealand Women.

Sophie Devine, captain of the Whiteferns and a batting all-rounder is a dangerous player at the top of the order. Irrespective of how the pitch would play on the match day, Devine can be expected to get the hosts off to a decent start.

As an opening partner, Devine is joined by Suzie Bates, another batting all-rounder who’s in great form. 3 of the top 4 batters in the New Zealand Women’s lineup are all-rounders. 

This makes a big difference to the overall balance of the squad. It is the consistency of the all-rounders in every department that puts New Zealand far ahead of their opponents in this series.

Maddy Green, a right-handed batter is a key player to watch out for in the middle order. She has been around for a long time making her debut at the age of 18 against Australia in T20Is.

Green scored an unbeaten 36 off 23 balls at number 4 in the last match. She can be crucial in run chases with her experience and the ability to keep her nerves.

New Zealand Women Predicted Playing XI:

Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Maddy Green, Lauren Down, Hayley Jensen, Jessica McFadyen (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Fran Jonas

New Zealand Women Actual Playing XI:

Hayley Jensen, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Amelia Kerr, Rebecca Burns, Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Fran jonas, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu

Bangladesh Women Preview

Nigar Sultana will be utterly disappointed and shattered after seeing her team bundled up for 32 runs while chasing a 165 runs target. And the fact that this performance came on a surface where the opposition seemed at ease scoring runs quickly, must be a hard pill.

In the recent Asia Cup, Bangladesh Women secured some big wins against weaker teams like Thailand and Malaysia. And when they clashed against India or Pakistan, they were completely outplayed.

In that light, 32 all-out doesn’t look that surprising given the quality of opposition here in New Zealand. There have been around 3 to 4 players who have scored the majority of the runs for Bangladesh Women in T20Is.

Nigar Sultana had her moment in the spotlight when she scored a brilliant 53 off 34 balls at number 4 against Malaysia. The left-handed opening bat, Murshida Khatun also scored a fifty in that game.

Murshida Khatun has been consistently among the top run scorers for Bangladesh Women. However, playing very little cricket doesn’t help their case.

Other batters in the top 4 who are key to success for Bangladesh are Fargana Hoque and Romana Ahmed though the latter played at number 5 in the last game.

Bangladesh Women Predicted Playing XI:

Fargana Hoque, Murshida Khatun, Nigar Sultana (c & wk), Rumana Ahmed, Dilara Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Salma Khatun, Nahida Akter, Jahanara Alam, Sanjida Akter Meghla

Bangladesh Women Actual Playing XI:

Dilara Akter, Fargana Hoque, Murshida Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Marufa Akter, Sharmin Akhter, Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Nahida Akter, Nigar Sultana, Salma Khatun

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch is made using Kakanui clay and has grass on the surface. There isn’t much pace or bounce on offer and it will be challenging for the batters to hit the long ball.

Venue Details

University Oval in Dunedin will host the 2nd T20I between New Zealand and Bangladesh. The boundaries are very short at this ground but the slowish surface would make it difficult to clear the boundary at will.

Toss: To Bat

Teams batting second in the Men’s T20Is have won more games at this venue. This will be the first Women’s T20I at this ground and given the slow nature of the pitch, it would be a better option to bat first.