Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) The schedule of New Zealand’s upcoming white-ball tour of Bangladesh has been officially revealed. The six-match series, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is, will take place in April and May, marking the return of the New Zealand national cricket team to Bangladesh after almost two and a half years.
BAN vs NZ: Take a quick look at the full itinerary here:
- 17 April: 1st ODI – Mirpur
- April 20: 2nd ODI – Mirpur
- April 23: 3rd ODI – Chattogram
- 27 April: 1st T20 match – Chattogram
- 29 April: 2nd T20 match – Chattogram
- 2 May: 3rd T20 match- Mirpur
All ODI matches will be day-night matches, while the T20Is will have a mix of afternoon and evening starts, ensuring variety for fans and broadcasters.
The series also holds added significance for the Bangladesh national cricket team, as it is their second assignment after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.
BAN vs NZ: Venue, context and challenges ahead for both teams
The two venues chosen for the series bring contrasting playing conditions. The Sher-e-Bangla Stadium’s Mirpur surface is traditionally spin-friendly, especially during day games, often challenging the visiting batsmen. In contrast, the coastal conditions at the Bir Shrestha Flt Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram generally favor stroke play, offering better bounce and carry.
The teams will travel from Dhaka to Chattogram on April 21 after the second ODI, ensuring a smooth transition between the venues.
Historically, matches between these sides have been competitive in Bangladesh. During the last visit to New Zealand in 2023, the Black Caps won the ODI series 2–0, while the Test series ended in a draw. However, Bangladesh fans will be reassured by their T20I success in 2021, where they defeated New Zealand 3-2 in the five-match home series.
Despite recent setbacks, New Zealand is entering this tour with strong credentials. After this they finished runner-up in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 lost to India in the final At Narendra Modi Stadium. The team is also currently busy in the T20 series against South Africa at home.
However, the biggest talking point ahead of this tour is the availability of players. The Bangladesh vs New Zealand 2026 series coincides with IPL 2026, creating a potential selection headache for New Zealand cricket. Several key players have been associated with the franchises, including Glenn Phillips, Trent Boult. lockie ferguson And Rachin Ravindra, others.
Captain Mitchell Santner himself is part of the IPL setup, raising the possibility that New Zealand could field a relatively inexperienced or second-rate team for the Bangladesh tour. This could significantly affect the balance of competition.
On the other hand, Bangladesh is entering the series with momentum. They recently demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in their 2-1 ODI series win over Pakistan at home. That success has boosted confidence within the team ahead of another challenging task.
The upcoming series is also part of a busy domestic calendar for Bangladesh, which includes tours of Australia, India and the West Indies later in the year. This makes the New Zealand series an important opportunity for the hosts to build consistency and refine the combination.
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