![Bangladesh Strongest XI vs NZ, 3rd ODI [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1776853806632_NahidRanaBangladesh.jpg?type=hq)
Bangladesh Strongest XI vs NZ, 3rd ODI [Source: AFP]
Bangladesh and New Zealand are set to lock horns in the third and final ODI of their ongoing series in Chattogram on April 23 in a 10:30 AM (IST) clash after the hosts squared the series in Mirpur on April 20.
So far in the New Zealand tour of Bangladesh 2026, the visitors won the first match of the series, with a fine margin of 26 runs, defending 247 runs. On the other hand, Bangladesh bounced back on Monday, courtesy of Nahid Rana’s excellence with the ball.
In the second ODI, New Zealand once again batted first and were restricted to just 198 runs with a combined bowling effort, led by Rana. With fifties from Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto, the score was chased just in 35.3 overs as they levelled the series.
As the teams collide to claim the bragging rights heading into the T20I series, here’s a look at Bangladesh’s predicted XI for the day.
Bangladesh Playing XI vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI
Top Order: Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hasan, Soumya Sarkar
Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hasan have both scored fifties in the ongoing series as Bangladesh sit with a 1-1 scoreline. Tanzid has 78 runs in 2 innings, including a 76 in the last match, while Saif Hasan has 65 runs in two innings.
Soumya Sarkar, who returned to the playing XI in the last match, is likely to continue, considering the winning combination. He scored only 8 runs but also picked 1/27 (4) in the 2nd ODI.
Middle Order and All Rounders: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain
The tried and tested duo of Najmul Hossain Shanti and Litton Das, who are both former captains, will bat 4 and 5 in this lineup. Before getting retired hurt due to the cramps in the 2nd ODI, Shanto scored 50(71), with 5 fours and 2 sixes. Litton Ds scored 46 in the 1st ODI and has 53 runs in the series as he keeps the wickets as well.
Towhid Hridoy, who is the second-highest scorer of the series with 85 runs, will be at number 6, with the ability to score runs freely. He has a strike rate of 93.40 for 85 runs in 2 innings.
The spin bowling duo of the off-spinner and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain will complete the long batting order of Bangladesh. Miraz can score steady runs and bowl economical spells, while the leg-spinner is their strike bowler and someone who can come in and play crucial cameos at 8.
Bowlers: Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana
In the absence of Musatfizur Rahman, both Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana have capitalised on the opportunities presented. Shoriful Islam has picked 2 wickets each in the two ODIs, while Nahid Rana has a picked 5/32 for his 6 wickets in two games.
The frontline pacer, who will operate with the new ball over all the others, is Taskin Ahmed, who has picked 2/50 in 2 innings. The right-hand pacer also has 126 ODI wickets in 86 innings as the most experienced pacer of this outfit.
Bangladesh Playing XI vs New Zealand- Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hasan, Soumya Sarka, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana.
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