"The Mount Manganui Miracle: Can Bangladesh Recreate History at Home?"

In what promises to be a riveting clash, the first Test of the two-match series is set to kick off on Tuesday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, marking the commencement of Bangladesh's Test cricket season and the initiation of the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. Bangladesh, having finished at the bottom in the previous two cycles, faces the formidable challenge of turning the tide against a strong New Zealand side.

SBS Desk

November 27, 2023

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"The Mount Manganui Miracle: Can Bangladesh Recreate History at Home?"

Historically, Bangladesh has struggled against the Kiwis in Test cricket, securing only one victory in 17 matches. With half of the remaining 16 matches lost by innings, the odds seem stacked against them. However, amidst this challenging backdrop, Bangladesh etched a historic victory over New Zealand in Mount Manganui in January last year, a triumph that echoes in their minds as they prepare for another Test on home soil.

The focal point for Bangladesh is to recapture the essence of that historic Mount Manganui triumph. Both teams embark on the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, with Bangladesh aiming to rectify its previous bottom finishes. In contrast, New Zealand, initially crowned world champions, slipped to a sixth-place finish in the second cycle. Eager to make amends, they arrive with a formidable team, ready to challenge the hosts on any wicket.

The question lingers: Can Bangladesh, under the leadership of the young and relatively inexperienced Nazmul Hossain Shanto, make a strong start to the new cycle of the ICC Test Championship? The series opener, scheduled for 9:30 am on Tuesday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, will be broadcast live by Gazi Television and T-Sports.

Bangladesh faces a daunting test against New Zealand, compounded by the absence of key players such as Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Taskin Ahmed due to injuries, along with Liton Das on personal leave. Mushfiqur Rahim stands as the lone senior figure, while Shanto leads the team, acknowledging the challenges but expressing confidence in the young squad's ability to step up.

Shanto remains unperturbed about the absence of senior players, emphasizing the opportunity for the younger generation to embrace the challenge. He believes that with careful planning and execution of their game plan, the team can overcome the hurdles posed by New Zealand's experienced and formidable lineup.

However, Shanto is well aware that facing New Zealand in the first Test provides no respite. New Zealand, boasting superior experience, performance, and reputation in Test cricket, poses a formidable challenge. Despite acknowledging their prowess, Shanto remains optimistic about Bangladesh's chances, citing the strength of the team on home soil.

In contrast, New Zealand, eager to regain the Test Championship title, arrives with a strong squad led by the likes of Kane Williamson, Darryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Tom Latham, and Tim Southee. Their goal is clear: secure 24 points against Bangladesh in the pursuit of championship glory.

As the battle unfolds in Sylhet and Dhaka, the clash between Bangladesh and New Zealand promises to be a captivating spectacle, with both teams vying for supremacy in the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.