Bangladesh return to T20I cricket today after a gap of around five months when they take on New Zealand in the opening game of the three-match series at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram.

The match will start at 2pm, with T Sports telecasting it live.

** Bangladesh have a poor head-to-head record against New Zealand, winning only four of the 20 T20Is between the two sides. The Black Caps have won 15, while one match produced no result.

** This will be New Zealand’s first T20I against Bangladesh at this venue in Chattogram. All six of their previous T20Is against the hosts were played in Mirpur.

** However, New Zealand have played four matches at this venue before, during the 2014 T20 World Cup.

** Bangladesh have won four out of five day games in Chattogram.

** The previous bilateral T20I series between the two sides, in 2023, was drawn.

** New Zealand are fielding a very inexperienced T20 side, missing most of their first-choice players due to IPL and PSL commitments. Only Ish Sodhi from their T20 World Cup squad is present, along with veteran Tom Latham.

** Bangladesh are returning to T20Is after 146 days, having missed the T20 World Cup due to security reasons, despite strong build-up performances last year (including wins over Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan).

** New Zealand’s recent form includes a T20I series loss to South Africa, but some ODI performances (Foxcroft, Nick Kelly, Nathan Smith) provide positives going into the series.

** Conditions in Chattogram: Average first-innings score is 163. The pitch is flat and generally batting-friendly.