|| CF Correspondent ||

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor insisted that Bangladesh can be the dark horse in the ongoing World Cup. The Blackcaps may be relatively fresh off a convincing ODI series win over their next World Cup opponents Bangladesh, but batsman Ross Taylor insists this version of the side is an altogether different proposition.

Though New Zealand swept the Bangladeshis in both the 50-over and test formats in demoralising fashion according to Taylor it counts nothing in the global stage. Taylor said that they are well aware how Bangladesh plays with and without Shakib, as he was not available during the tour of New Zealand due to injury.

Shakib man-of-the-match performance in a statement win over South Africa in their tournament opener proved just how valuable he was to their cause.

That win has been widely labelled an upset, but before their clash at The Oval on Wednesday night (NZT), Taylor isn’t buying it.

"A lot has been made of it being a big upset," says Taylor. "But I probably wouldn’t call it that.

"I think Bangladesh, in their own right, are very good and must be one of the dark horses for this tournament."

The New Zealanders only need to look back as far as the Champions Trophy in 2017 for a stark reminder of his impact, when Shakib's masterful century led his team to a comfortable five-wicket victory at Cardiff.