Stage set for winner-takes-all clash in Chattogram

The Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram is set to host its first One Day International in more than two years as Bangladesh and New Zealand prepare to clash in the series-deciding third match on Thursday.

After New Zealand took the lead in the opening match, Bangladesh levelled the series with a commanding six-wicket win on Monday, setting up a winner-takes-all finale in the port city.

While the hot and humid conditions in Chattogram are not too different from Dhaka, the wicket is expected to be livelier, with a noticeable layer of grass covering the surface.

The drier outfield, however, is likely to pose challenges in the field, with the ball expected to race away once it beats the fielders.

Bangladesh pace bowling coach Shaun Tait was reluctant to dwell on pitch talk but expressed confidence about sealing the series — which would be only the third time Bangladesh have won a bilateral ODI series after losing the opening match.

“This is the top level, and you’ve got to win the series, especially when you put yourself in a position like we did, winning the last game. We expect to win tomorrow (Thursday),” he said.

New Zealand pacer Will O’Rourke, meanwhile, was hopeful the Chattogram surface would offer more than the two Mirpur pitches. The tall right-armer, returning from a long injury layoff, has been one of the visitors’ most impressive performers and will be eager to leave his mark on the decider.

“I just walked past briefly. It looks like another nice deck. I thought the last two decks looked nice as well, so I don’t know what I’m talking about too much, but it’s been good so far,” he said.

“I liked the look of the wicket though — it looks like there was a bit of grass in it, so hopefully there’s a little bit of pace and bounce. We’ll obviously find out tomorrow.”

While New Zealand fielded an unchanged XI in the first two matches, Bangladesh made one change in the second when Soumya Sarkar replaced Afif Hossain Dhrubo. Whether either side makes further adjustments remains uncertain, with both camps intent on fielding their strongest possible combination.

Mustafizur Rahman, meanwhile, has yet to feature in the series after experiencing discomfort in his right knee during the warm-up before the first ODI. The experienced left-arm pacer has been noticeably missed, and his potential return would add a fresh dimension to Bangladesh’s already potent attack.

Tait confirmed that Mustafizur was close to a return. “I think he’ll be available for selection. I’m not 100% sure. He bowled maybe three or four overs today (Wednesday). I don’t know what the selectors are going to do with the team, to be honest. I actually don’t know. But he was bowling fine today.”

The match is scheduled to begin at 11am local time.