In a thrilling conclusion to the unofficial ODI series, Bangladesh A will face New Zealand A in the third and final match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on May 10, 2025. The match is set to commence at 8:30 AM IST, with the toss taking place half an hour earlier at 8:00 AM IST. Bangladesh A enters this match riding high after securing victories in the first two games of the series, and they are eager to complete a clean sweep against their opponents.
In the opening match of the series, Bangladesh A showcased their batting prowess, with Mahidul Islam Ankon scoring a remarkable 105 runs and Nurul Hasan contributing an impressive 112. Their efforts led to a convincing 87-run victory over New Zealand A. Following that, the second ODI saw Bangladesh A chase down a target of 148 with relative ease, losing only three wickets and winning by seven wickets.
Now, with a 2-0 lead in the series, the Bangla Tigers are looking to maintain their momentum and finish the series on a high note. The team has demonstrated a strong understanding of the conditions at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, which is known for being a batting-friendly venue, particularly suited for spin bowlers. The average first innings score at this ground is around 242, and with the weather forecast predicting a temperature of 34-36°C and a humidity level of 45-50%, conditions are expected to be favorable for batting.
On the other hand, New Zealand A finds themselves in a challenging position as they seek to avoid a humiliating 3-0 whitewash. After two disappointing performances, the visitors will need to step up their game significantly. In the second ODI, despite Dean Foxcroft's efforts as the top scorer, New Zealand A struggled to build partnerships and ultimately fell short against a disciplined Bangladeshi bowling attack.
Tanvir Islam and Ebadot Hossain were standout performers in the previous match, each claiming three wickets, while Khaled Ahmed supported with two wickets. The New Zealand A side will need to regroup and deliver a stronger performance to salvage some pride in this final match.
The predicted playing XI for Bangladesh A includes Anamul Haque, Mohammad Naim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Nurul Hasan (captain and wicketkeeper), Shamim Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Ebadot Hossain. Meanwhile, New Zealand A is expected to field Curtis Heaphy, Dale Phillips, Joe Carter, Matthew Boyle, Nick Kelly (captain), Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Hay (wicketkeeper), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Adithya Ashok, and Jayden Lennox.
As the match approaches, fans will be keen to see if Bangladesh A can continue their dominance or if New Zealand A can turn the tide in their favor. For viewers in India, the match will be streamed live on FanCode, while there will be no television broadcast available.
With the series already decided, the stakes for this final match are high, not only for the players but also for the fans who have supported both teams throughout the series. Will Bangladesh A secure a clean sweep, or can New Zealand A pull off an upset? The cricketing world will be watching closely as the action unfolds at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
