New Zealand have arrived in Bangladesh without several key cricketers who are involved in the ongoing Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League. Their A team is also currently touring Sri Lanka. This has led to some unfamiliar faces in the touring party, with even local photo journalists struggling to recognise many of the players.
The visitors opted not to include cricketers from the A team for their white-ball series against Bangladesh. Head coach Rob Walter seems happy with the situation, believing it will help to increase their pool of cricketers.
Walter Highlights Opportunity for Developing Players
Rob Walter said that sending their entire team to Sri Lanka and then bringing them to Bangladesh would have meant missing an opportunity to give other players the chance to develop their skills. He told reporters that New Zealand are trying to use their opportunities as much as possible.
Walter stated that 54 New Zealand cricketers are currently playing in different parts of the world, including the IPL, PSL, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. He sees this as a massive positive, giving a large number of players international experience at different levels and strengthening their whole system.
Walter added that the international world of cricket is challenging because a lot of players are getting pulled in different directions. He said that they have to take care of that and make sure they’re ready, regardless of who they compete against, and that they have a number of cricketers who are internationally ready.
Bangladesh Recall Players from PSL
While New Zealand are focusing on developing their wider squad, Bangladesh have recalled pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan and Rishad Hossain from the PSL to play in the ODIs against New Zealand.
Exposing Players to Quality Opposition
Rob Walter believes that exposing lesser experienced players to quality opposition is a massive positive for New Zealand. He considers Bangladesh a quality team, noting their recent victory against Pakistan. Walter said that being able to expose their less experienced players to quality opposition in foreign conditions is a massive positive.
“You can’t buy experience, you know, you have to actually get out into the cauldron and actually play.” Walter said that this tour gives them that opportunity.
Walter said they like to use whatever opportunities and tours they can as smartly as they possibly can.