A clash of experience and fresh faces

Bangladesh take on New Zealand in the opening match of the three-match ODI series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today, looking to maintain their recent strong form in the format and close the gap with eighth-ranked England in the ICC ODI rankings. 

For New Zealand, however, the series serves a different purpose. Missing several first-choice players, the visitors have brought a relatively inexperienced squad, aiming to give fringe players valuable exposure in subcontinent conditions. Nevertheless, they will be keen to replicate their 2023 success, when they secured a 2-0 series win in Bangladesh despite a depleted lineup -- ending a 13-year wait for an ODI series victory in the country.
 

** Only Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, and Will Young in the current New Zealand squad have prior experience of playing international cricket in Bangladesh. However, Nick Kelly, Dane Cleaver, Dean Foxcroft, Adithya Ashok, and Jayden Lennox have previously toured with the ‘A’ team.
 

** Bangladesh players have a combined 761 ODI appearances, compared to New Zealand’s 368. Only four members of Bangladesh’s 15-man squad have played fewer than 10 ODIs, while eight players in New Zealand’s 14-member squad fall into that category.
 

If we can win the series, it will be a big achievement for us. Considering our ranking, this series is extremely important for us.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh ODI skipper

** Latham is the most experienced ODI player across both squads with 163 matches. For Bangladesh, Mustafizur Rahman (119) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (117) have crossed the 100-match mark, while Litton Das (98) is nearing 100 ODIs.
 

** Bangladesh enter the series on the back of successive 2-1 home series wins over Pakistan and West Indies, with the most recent victory coming against Pakistan in March. New Zealand, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last five ODI series, with their most recent bilateral defeat coming against Sri Lanka in November 2024.
 

We've got some guys with a little bit less experience in these conditions, but I think the more that they're exposed to places like Bangladesh, then it's only going to be a good thing for us.

Tom Latham, New Zealand stand-in skipper

** New Zealand have won 34 of the 46 ODIs between the two sides, while Bangladesh have won 11 – eight of those at home. Their last meeting came in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Rawalpindi, where New Zealand secured a five-wicket win.
 

** New Zealand are ranked second in the ICC ODI rankings with 114 points, while Bangladesh are ninth with 79. Even with a 3-0 or 2-1 series win, Bangladesh will remain ninth but can improve their rating to 85 or 83 points, closing in on England (88). A 2-1 or 3-0 defeat would see them slip to 80 or 78 points, though still above 10th-placed West Indies (77).