'A great opportunity for us to do something that no Bangladeshi side has done before'

Bangladesh has never beaten New Zealand on their home soil; that's a known fact now. The players, team management and staff, are all very confident of turning the table this time around. Head coach Russel Domingo is the newest addition to this list who believes Tigers have everything that needs to beat the Kiwis on their home soil this time. 

Domingo believes his team have a "great opportunity" to upset New Zealand in the upcoming three-match ODI series that starts in Dunedin on Saturday.

"It is a great opportunity for us to do something that no Bangladeshi side has done before," Domingo said.

"We are all excited about it."

This may be Domingo's first assignment in New Zealand with the Tigers, but he previously toured there with the South Africa national team. He knows how tough this place can be but is confident at the same time as well. 

"It is my first tour to New Zealand with Bangladesh. I have been here previously with South Africa. I know it's a tough place to tour, but it is a great opportunity for some of these younger players," he added. 

Domingo believes ODI is the Tigers' strongest format, and they recently clean-swept Windies at home just a few months ago, while New Zealand hadn't played any ODIs since March last year. 

"I think the 50-over format is our strongest format at the moment. If you look at the team's performance in the World Cup and look at the players' averages, we have some good numbers in one-day cricket. I think this is our strongest format."

Domingo wants to put faith in the youngsters in the team and see how they repay the faith and time.  He seemed excited to have such an exciting bunch of young fast-bowlers in the squad. 

"I think we have some good young fast bowlers who are coming through that maybe New Zealand haven't seen before. They maybe weren't expecting to see. We have got some good potential; guys like Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed are bowling nicely. We are excited about some of our fast bowlers."

Bangladesh could also get some leeway in the absence of Kane Williamson (elbow injury) and Ross Taylor (hamstring injury). Still, Domingo has warned that taking New Zealand's replacements lightly could be dangerous for his side.

"It is a bit of a boost for us, not having (Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor) in the first game in particular. But we know that new players are always keen to establish themselves, so they will be highly motivated to do well," he said.

After playing the first match on March 20 at the University of Otago in Dunedin, the Tigers' second ODI is on March 23 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The third ODI is at Basin Reserve in Wellington on March 26. The first
and third ODI will start at 4 AM Bangladesh Time, and the second one will begin at 7 AM Bangladesh Time.

The first T20 of the series will be held at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on March 28, and it will start at 7 AM Bangladesh time. The second ODI is at McLean Park, Napier, on March 30, while the third T20 is at Eden Park, Auckland, on
April 1. The second and third T20 starts at 12 PM Bangladesh time.