The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially revealed the schedule for New Zealand’s upcoming white-ball tour of Bangladesh. The six-match series, consisting of three ODIs and three T20Is, will take place across April and May, marking the return of the New Zealand national cricket team to Bangladesh after nearly two and a half years.
BAN vs NZ: Here’s a quick look at the full itinerary:
- April 17: 1st ODI – Mirpur
- April 20: 2nd ODI – Mirpur
- April 23: 3rd ODI – Chattogram
- April 27: 1st T20I – Chattogram
- April 29: 2nd T20I – Chattogram
- May 2: 3rd T20I – Mirpur
All ODIs will be day-night fixtures, while the T20Is feature a mix of afternoon and evening starts, ensuring variety for fans and broadcasters alike.
This series also holds added importance for Bangladesh national cricket team, as it marks their second assignment after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.
BAN vs NZ: Venues, context and challenges ahead for both teams
The two venues selected for the series bring contrasting playing conditions. The Mirpur surface at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium is traditionally spin-friendly, especially during day games, often challenging visiting batters. In contrast, Chattogram’s coastal conditions at the Bir Shrestha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium generally favour stroke play, offering better bounce and carry.
Teams will travel from Dhaka to Chattogram on April 21 after the second ODI, ensuring a smooth transition between venues.
Historically, encounters between these sides in Bangladesh have been competitive. During New Zealand’s last visit in 2023, the Black Caps secured a 2-0 ODI series win, while the Test series ended evenly. However, Bangladesh fans will take confidence from their T20I success in 2021, where they defeated New Zealand 3-2 in a five-match home series.
New Zealand head into this tour with strong credentials despite a recent setback. They finished runners-up in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after losing to India in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium. The team is also currently engaged in a T20I series against South Africa at home.
However, one of the biggest talking points ahead of this tour is player availability. The Bangladesh vs New Zealand 2026 series coincides with IPL 2026, creating a potential selection headache for New Zealand Cricket. Several key players are tied up with franchises, including Glenn Phillips, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Rachin Ravindra, among others.
Captain Mitchell Santner himself is part of the IPL setup, raising the possibility that New Zealand may field a relatively inexperienced or second-string squad for the Bangladesh tour. This could significantly influence the balance of the contest.
On the other hand, Bangladesh enter the series with momentum. They recently secured a 2-1 ODI series victory over Pakistan at home, showcasing resilience and adaptability. That success has boosted confidence within the squad ahead of another challenging assignment.
The upcoming series is also part of a packed home calendar for Bangladesh, with tours from Australia, India and West Indies lined up later in the year. This makes the New Zealand series an important opportunity for the hosts to build consistency and refine combinations.
