Bangladesh tour of New Zealand 2021 News

Bangladesh created history against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday after beating the Kiwis by 8 wickets in the first Test of the two-match series. Chasing a target of just 40 runs in the second innings, Bangladesh lost an early wicket after Shadman Islam was out for 3. But Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque first steadied the ship with a partnership of 31 runs and then the skipper along with Mushfiqur Rahim took the team over the line. Shanto was undone for 17 by Jamieson but his departure didn’t really put much impact as the visitors were in cruise control. Earlier, New Zealand began the day at 147/5 with Ross Taylor and Sachin Ravindra at the crease but the home side couldn’t really add much runs to the tally and were bowled out for 169 in the second innings. Taylor was the first batsman to be sent back in the pavilion for 40 and the hosts then witnessed a collapse to eventually get bowled out. Ebadot Hossain eventually returned with figures of 6/46 while Taskin Ahmed had three scalps to his name. Hossain who was adjudged man of the match for his performance and expressed his joy on the win. He also mentioned about the long wait that the Asian side had to see before this victory. “We have come here for the last 11 years and not won a game. When we came this time, we set a goal and we said to ourselves we can do it. New Zealand are Test Champions and if we beat them then it will inspire the next generation to do the same. I have been working hard with Ottis Gibson,” he said after the match. “The conditions are too flat in Bangladesh and we are still learning how to bowl away from home. I am a soldier of Bangladesh and know how to celebrate (after a wicket). My journey from volleyball to cricket is a long story. I am enjoying my cricket,” he added. The two sides will now lock horns in the second match slated to begin on January 9, 2022 in Christchurch.

New Zealand had left out spinner Ajaz Patel who had created history against India after becoming only the third bowler to bag all ten wickets in an innings in Test cricket for the upcoming series against Bangladesh at home. Talking about his omission, Ajaz admitted that he was disappointed but not surprised after being dropped. "It was more just expressing my disappointment, because I think you still have to express yourself, and still be able to show that you're passionate about playing Test cricket for New Zealand at home. There's a good relationship there with Gary, as well, we had some honest conversations, sometimes they're not the most pleasing, but at the same time, we can be up front with each other and know where we stand," said Patel. Regular skipper Kane Williamson was also ruled out of the series due to his elbow injury and the selectors had named Tom Latham as the skipper of the side in his absence. "It's obviously disappointing not to have Kane available for this series but, as we noted in India, he is undergoing a sustained period of rest followed by rehabilitation, strengthening and gradual batting loading,” coach Gary Stead had said earlier. New Zealand and Bangladesh are slated to play a two-match Test series scheduled to begin on January 1 in Mount Maunganui. The second clash will be played in Christchurch from January 9, 2022.

Bangladesh’s star all rounder Shakib al Hasan in an explosive interview has stated that he does not want to continue as an all format player with the national team. Speaking to a local TV channel Shakib clarified that he is unsure about playing the longest format, and it does not really serve the if the national team plays two matches in 40-42 days. ''I know what [format] is important for me and I know what [format] should get the preference. Right now time has come when I am thinking about Test cricket and whether I will play Tests again or even if I play, how will I play.'' "When you play two Tests in 40 to 42 days, it cannot be fruitful so certainly it encourages playing selective matches. I am not saying that I will retire from Test but it can happen that I am not playing T20s after the 2022 World Cup and at that point I might play one-day and Test. But continuing three formats together is almost close to impossible,'' he said. Shakib has found himself in murky waters over the last year with the Bangladesh Board president Nazmul Hasan Papon repeatedly giving fiery statements about the senior pros of the team. Amongst other things, Shakib was heavily criticised by the media-loving president when he chose to play in the Indian Premier League snubbing the national tour. Shakib, who has already chosen to skip the Test series against New Zealand, stated that bio-bubbles have been taking a toll over him. Comparing it to living in jail, the star all-rounder stated that so much of regulations have been hampering his personal life. 'When you have three small children and you cannot give time and suddenly you meet them for eight to 10 days and then again you are away for couple of months and again you meet for 15 days it's a very unhealthy situation and I feel it will leave an impact on their growth. I don't want them to go through it,'' he concluded.

It was shocking to see that Ajaz Patel was named in the 13 man squad of New Zealand named for the two-match series at home against a touring Bangladesh side. The team has however retained Rachin Ravindra as a spin-bowling all-rounder in the side but there is no specialist spinner. Along with Patel, Kane Williamson will also not be available for the series and in his absence, Tom Latham would lead the side. “It’s obviously disappointing not to have Kane available for this series but, as we noted in India, he is undergoing a sustained period of rest followed by rehabilitation, strengthening and gradual batting loading,” Gary Stead, the New Zealand coach said in a statement released by the New Zealand Cricket. Talking about Ajaz Patel’s removal from the squad, the coach said. “You do feel for Ajaz after his record-breaking display in India. However, we’ve always applied a horses-for-courses selection policy and believe the players selected best fit the way we want to take on Bangladesh here at home.” “We feel having both Rachin and Daryl in the squad gives us a nice balance and the ability to pick a side best suited to the conditions we expect,” he further added. New Zealand play two Tests against Bangladesh with the first one starting on January 01 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. New Zealand Test Squad Tom Latham (c) - Canterbury, Tom Blundell (wk) - Wellington Firebirds, Trent Boult - Northern Districts, Devon Conway - Wellington Firebirds, Matt Henry - Canterbury, Kyle Jamieson - Auckland Aces, Daryl Mitchell - Canterbury, Henry Nicholls - Canterbury, Rachin Ravindra - Wellington Firebirds, Tim Southee - Northern Districts, Ross Taylor - Central Stags, Neil Wagner - Northern Districts, Will Young - Central Stags

The Bangladesh cricket team has been not allowed to take take part in any outdoor practice sessions until December 21 in New Zealand, where they are currently lodged to play the two-match Test series starting January 01 2022. This decision was taken by the New Zealand Health Ministry in the wake of Bangladesh spin bowling coach Rangana Herath testing positive for COVID-19 on arrival in the Kiwi nation. Along with him, eight other members of the squad which includes players and support staff have been placed in isolation after they were identified as close contacts with a person flying with them from Malaysia to New Zealand who also tested positive. Bangladesh team manager Nafees Iqbal informed that the team was allowed to have one outdoor session on December 16, but post that they were once again asked to not hold any other practice session till further notice. "We were permitted to practice yesterday (December 16) but today we were forced to cancel our practice as per orders from New Zealand Government. We have done three Covid tests so far and there is still one to go and we will get released if everyone gets negative results in the next test on the ninth day of the quarantine,” Nafees was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. Talking about Herath’s present status, Nafees said, "Herath is fine now and he is recovering gradually. Our team is keeping in contact with him on a regular basis and hopefully, we will get him soon with us.” The visiting team was supposed to play one two-day intra-squad game from December 22 and then another two day game with New Zealand A from December 28 before finally playing the first Test starting January 01 in Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.

Bangladesh suffered a huge blow after spin bowling coach Rangana Herath tested positive for COVID-19 in New Zealand. The Bangladesh Cricket Board officials have said that nine members of the Test contingent which comprises players and support staff were in close contact with a COVID-positive patient in the flight and have been put under extended quarantine. The patient was flying with them from Malaysia to New Zealand. ''Herath is corona positive and will be doing extended quarantine till he is cleared,'' BCB cricket operations chairman, Akram Khan, said on Wednesday (December 15). "Look there was a corona positive in the plane and a couple of members of our squad along with Herath were in close contact with him. They are asked to do quarantine while Herath was found positive from them,'' he said. ''Other members of the squad have already been freed to practice from today though they could not do so due to rain after completing their mandatory quarantine period. The rest (who are asked to quarantine) will join them after obtaining a corona negative result following their quarantine period they were asked to complete.” Bangladesh are touring New Zealand for a two-match Test series scheduled to begin on January 1, 2022 in Mount Maunganui. The second clash is slated to commence on January 9, 2022 in Christchurch.