New Zealand and Bangladesh both need a win in order to keep their Champions Trophy dreams alive.
Friday’s Champions Trophy encounter sees Bangladesh and New Zealand – both of whom are on a single point after two games – go head to head in an absolute must-win clash.
With weather reports suggesting rain throughout the day, both sides’ races in the competition may be run, although, they’ll be hoping that a result can be achieved.
Champions Trophy | Friday 9 June 2017 | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | 11:30
To Win Match
New Zealand 34/100 | Tie 35/1 | Bangladesh 24/10
New Zealand
New Zealand will be cursing their luck following their opening match which was rained out against the Australians. The Black Caps were in a commanding position, having reduced the Aussies to 53-3 in their revised pursuit of 235 from 33 overs.
Key to the New Zealander’s chances in Wales will be how well the seam trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Adam Milne perform. Whether or not they’ll be able to get the ball to move laterally may well depend on which wicket is used in Cardiff.
We saw Pakistan able to reverse the ball at Edgbaston on a more abrasive wicket that had been used previously in the tournament. With all the rain around Wales at the moment, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the curator opts to use the same deck that saw nearly 94 overs of action last week.
The drier surface, along with the introduction of spin early on could scuff the ball up enough for Boult and Southee to do their thing. If the ball doesn’t reverse at all and things are made easier for the batsmen, the pressure will be on the Black Caps’ top order to deliver the goods.
Kane Williamson has been deadly in this competition so far, scoring 187 runs in two matches. He will need support, however, with one of Luke Ronchi, Martin Guptill or Ross Taylor needing to hang around to support their skipper.
Bangladesh
Where the rain has been unkind to New Zealand, it’s very much kept Bangladesh’s tournament hopes alive. The Asians were staring down the barrel against the Australians, who were making short work of Bangladesh’s 182-run total.
The heavens would open at the end of the 16th over, forcing the players from the field of play. They would not return and Bangladesh breathed a massive sigh of relief as they undeservedly shared the spoils with the World Champions.
Tamim Iqbal has been the main man for Chandika Hathurusingha’s team and currently tops the scoring charts with 223 from his two matches. This included and excellent 128 against England in the Tournament opener. Like Williamson, however, he will need support. That support is most likely to come from the experienced duo of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Their attack looks good enough as Mustafizur continues to see his stock rise while the likes of Shakib and Mashrafe Mortaza are able keep things tight. We might even see Mahmudullah crack the nod as the extra spinner.
Verdict: Bangladesh 24/10
I think these two teams are far more evenly-matched than the betting suggests. If Tamim can get going and his spinners can keep the New Zealand scoring rate down, I see no reason why Bangladesh can’t win. Small stake on the Asians at 24/10.
Value Bet: Tamim Iqbal to Top Score for Bangladesh at 3/1
Tamim is on a different planet to his teammates at the moment, his contributions with the bat have been immense in this tournament. He’s in the form of his life and will be looking for another big innings in Wales this Friday.
