Bangladesh looking to break T20 deadlock in New Zealand

After snapping losing streak in Test and ODI format, Bangladesh now set their target to break the deadlock in T20 on New Zealand soil, as they take on the hosts in three-match series opener at McLean Park in Napier on Wednesday. The match starts at 12.10 PM (Bangladesh Time).

The Tigers will play the first T20 game in a venue where they crushed New Zealand by nine wickets for their maiden ODI victory against the Black Caps in their own backyard. Bangladesh's victory also ended New Zealand's 17-match winning streak in ODI format at home.

The dismal stat that Bangladesh lost nine straight T20s on New Zealand soil would now take a backseat due to their performance in the last ODI. Overall the two teams played 17 matches, with New Zealand winning 14 and Bangladesh just three.

The Tigers so far played three series this year and won all. A series victory against New Zealand will keep them unbeaten in this format this year, which will be a landmark incident in the country's cricket history.

After a horrible T20 World Cup last year, Bangladesh swept three-match T20 series against mighty England. Later they won the three-match series against Ireland by 2-1 and beat Afghanistan by 2-0.

All of the series victory came at home den but now they are up against New Zealand in away condition. With next T20 World Cup approaching fast, the New Zealand series will be significant in testing their actual progress in this format.

Mitchell Santner will lead the side in the absence of Williamson.

"After snapping the losing streak in ODI, we are confident about the T20 series. T20 is a different format but we will plan for it accordingly," Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said.

Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Liton Das, Rony Talukdar, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice Captain), Shak Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib

New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (capt), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee