Both Bangladesh and New Zealand will have an eye on the World Cup as they go head to head in the first of five T20s.
Bangladesh will be eager to be in their best form come World Cup time as they have to survive a preliminary group.
Bangladesh vs New Zealand | 1 September | Shere-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka | 12:00
To Win Match
Bangladesh 72/100
Tie 25/1
New Zealand 23/20
Bangladesh
Bangladesh will seek to strike a balance between their emerging talents and established stars to build for the future.
Mahmudullah will be tasked with keeping the group together and balancing a bowling attack likely to be bolstered by part-time spinners.
Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan will be the bowlers that Bangladesh will look to as match-winners with the ball after an excellent series against Australia.
Shakib-al-Hasan may no longer be the only star in the Bangladesh team but he is still the biggest in this side and he too can win matches with bat and ball.
New Zealand
A COVID-19 case in their camp might prevent Finn Allen from turning out against a team that he tormented in the last T20I series meeting between the sides.
Glenn Pocknall will coach New Zealand in Bangladesh and Pakistan, standing in for Gary Stead, who has taken a break from the game.
Batsman Tom Latham will skipper New Zealand in Bangladesh, while it is unclear if the captain will also take the wicketkeeping gloves.
Allen has been replaced in the New Zealand squad by fast bowler Matt Henry, although the paceman might not start the first match of the five-match T20I series.
Verdict: New Zealand 23/20
It will be tough but New Zealand should have the firepower to overcome.
