Despite not having a full-strength side, stand-in captain Tom Latham remains confident about winning the series. His belief stems from New Zealand’s 2023 tour of Bangladesh, where a similar second-string team secured a series victory.
Ahead of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India, New Zealand had toured Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series, including only five members of their World Cup squad. Under the leadership of Lockie Ferguson, the visitors won the series 2-0, with the opening match washed out due to rain.
This time, too, New Zealand have arrived with a relatively inexperienced squad, now led by Latham.
Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the series, the left-handed batter reiterated that the team’s goal remains unchanged despite the absence of key players.
“Our objective is clear, we are here to win the series. From everyone’s perspective, that is the main goal. But we understand that there is still a lot of work to do to get there. For us, it’s about learning from each match and gradually improving,” Latham said.
Before departing for Bangladesh, Latham had already highlighted that this tour presents a significant opportunity for less experienced players, a point he reiterated once again.
Latham believes that if his team can progress match by match, they can build a strong chance of winning the series.
“We have players who are relatively inexperienced, especially in conditions like these. The more opportunities they get in places like Bangladesh, the better it will be for us. If we can improve step by step and continue the learning process, we can create a good opportunity towards the end of the series,” he added.
Among the players in the current squad, only Latham, Henry Nicholls, and Will Young have prior experience of playing international cricket in Bangladesh.
Latham emphasized the importance of sharing that experience within the group.
“When experience is limited in the squad, it becomes the responsibility of those who have played more, and those familiar with these conditions, to share their knowledge with the newcomers. We want to ensure that our planning, preparation, and training are done properly. But once we step onto the field, the most important thing is to adapt to whatever comes our way and deliver our best.”
