Bangladesh registered their first-ever T20I series win against New Zealand after taking an unassailable 3-1 lead on Wednesday. They defeated the Blackcaps by six wickets at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in the fourth T20I match of the series.
Bangladesh middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy is expecting the pitch to play slow in the T20 series opener against India as both teams enter unknown territory with the Shrimant Madhavrao Stadium hosting its first international match on Sunday.
Litton Das will captain Bangladesh in the upcoming three-match ODI series against India which starts on Sunday after regular captain Tamim lqbal was ruled out with injury.
A confident New Zealand side will be eager to seal a semi-final spot when they take on Bangladesh, who will be fighting for survival, in their Champions Trophy Group A match in Rawalpindi on Monday.
Shane Watson scored a quick fifty and Mitchell Johnson claimed three wickets as Australia beat Bangladesh by 38 runs in an ICC World Twenty20 warm-up game in Nottingham on Monday.
Pakistan and Bangladesh will face off in a dead rubber match in the Champions Trophy on Thursday, both teams looking to salvage some pride after disappointing tournament performances. Both teams have suffered heavy defeats to New Zealand.
The Proteas are not expected to tinker with their four-pronged pace attack comprising Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Ottneil Baartmen that has served them well in the tournament so far with Keshav Maharaj taking on the spin duties.
Pace sensation Mayank Yadav is expected to unleash his raw speed while the absence of India's T20 regulars will provide another opportunity to the fringe players in the three-match series against Bangladesh, beginning in Gwalior Sunday.
Although India are playing a strong brand of 50-overs' cricket of late, they have some selection riddles to solve before they face Bangladesh in their opening match of the Champions Trophy.
New Zealand find themselves in the a difficult group with two-time champions West Indies and Afghanistan also vying for the the top two spots.
New Zealand eye consolatory win over PNG
2021 World T20 champions Australia will be mindful of the dangers of taking Bangladesh lightly.
Playing as the opener, Sanju Samson has made just 39 runs in the first two T20 Internationals against Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh bowlers have the ability to spice up things but against India's formidable lineup, they would need plenty of runs on the board.
NZ face WI in virtual knockout, rain threatens to derail England again
Jasprit Bumrah has galloped 10 slots to return to the top 10 for bowlers with a match haul of 9/110 in the first Test against England at Nottingham.
Trying to pick up pieces after a demoralising defeat, India's decorated top-order will be desperate to change the narrative and give a better account of itself in the do-or-die second ODI against Bangladesh.
A struggling Indian team, severely depleted by a spate of on-field injuries and fitness-related problems, will be determined to avoid the ignominy of a clean sweep against Bangladesh in the final ODI of the three-match series.
