As Bangladesh faces New Zealand in the T20 arena, the team is looking to rewrite history after creating a breakthrough moment with their maiden ODI victory in New Zealand. The visitors, under the guidance of head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, are determined to shed their winless record in T20Is against the Black Caps.
Reflecting on their recent achievements, Hathurusingha emphasized the psychological impact of the ODI triumph, stating, “Certainly it will help mentally when you have a good win. Always you feel good, and because you have done something, you want to repeat it no matter what the format is, and that will give us confidence leading into the T20Is.”
“While Bangladesh has struggled in T20s against New Zealand in the past, their recent T20I performance has been impressive, winning nine out of 11 matches in 2023. Notable series victories against England, Ireland, and Afghanistan have positioned Bangladesh as a formidable T20 side”.
With an eye on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Bangladesh sees the New Zealand series as an opportunity to finalize team combinations and player roles. Hathurusingha expressed the importance of honing their strategy, saying, “Whether it’s ideal or not, that’s all we got. We have to get our plans and roles right within that period.”
As Bangladesh navigates the T20 challenge in New Zealand, their goal extends beyond breaking the winless streak – it’s about building the foundation for a successful campaign in the upcoming T20 World Cup, aiming to improve their historical record in the prestigious tournament.
