Another chance to rid the wrongs of last match
Having lost the series already, Bangladesh will look to finish the series on a high.
It was not all doom and gloom for Bangladesh in the second ODI like the first one. Rather, they gave New Zealand a real tough time, and at one stage, it looked like they would carry the day.
Having lost the series already, Bangladesh will look to finish the series on a high. The match will be a dead rubber by no means as a win will fetch Bangladesh valuable 10 points in the ODI World Cup Super League.
Latham vs Mustafiz: The key battle
In the absence of Mustafizur Rahman, Tom Latham is leading the side. The wicketkeeper-batsman is in stellar form and was adjudged player of the match for his magnificent match-winning hundred. Latham has lost only one match out of 12 ODIs where he captained and averages a staggering 62 as captain, whereas his career average is 34.
To limit the run flow off his bat, Mustafizur Rahman can well be the best weapon. The left-arm seamer has so far dismissed Latham on three occasions in 10 meetings, the joint-most by any bowler. If Mustafizur wins this battle, Bangladesh will be in with a great chance.
In the spotlight: Mohammad Mithun
Mohammad Mithun has carried his form from the previous New Zealand tour. The right-handed middle-order batsman played his career-best knock in the previous match and looked very comfortable against the New Zealand bowlers.
Mithun has crossed 50 in three innings out of four in New Zealand and averages 67 compared to his career average of 31. Hence, a lot will depend on him, given his previous record and current form.
Ground and pitch
The Basin Reserve in Wellington is not as high scoring as University Oval and Hagley Oval. The average run-rate there is only 4.50. Most importantly, the visiting sides have won 11 out of 23 completed bilateral affairs there.
Chasing is very difficult on this ground, and that's why the toss becomes a crucial factor.
Fielding the cause of concern
Bangladesh were in with the chance to win the previous game until they dropped James Neesham and Tom Latham within a short space of time. Neesham was a new batsman to the crease, and Taskin induced a false shot. Mushfiqur Rahim, behind the stumps, dropped a straightforward one. A little while later, Mahedi Hasan missed quite a straightforward caught and bowled opportunity. Latham was on 58 then, and he went on to score a hundred. Apart from these, Bangladesh missed a few run-out opportunities and were very sloppy in the field, especially after 35 overs.
New Zealand, too weren't at their best in fielding, and both sides will look to be more agile in the field in the next match.
'We want to win at least one game.'
After the second game, Mohammad Mithun said, "As a team, we want to win at least one game. It will be a great achievement for us if we can do so. The next match will be a new game, and we will certainly give our best so that the result is in our favour."