Bangladesh might be the world’s ninth-ranked ODI team, thereby coming into this eight-team tournament as clear outsiders, but Najmul Hossain Shanto, their captain, insists “we are going to the Champions Trophy to become champions … I believe our team has the ability.” Perhaps, but they have not played an ODI for more than two months and start their tournament against the relative might of India in Dubai, before shifting country and conditions to play their final two games in Rawalpindi.
Fixtures India (20 February, Dubai), New Zealand (24 February, Rawalpindi), Pakistan (27 February, Rawalpindi).
Since the last World Cup New Zealand have lost their senior seamers, Tim Southee and Trent Boult, and though Kane Williamson remains in the squad he stood down as captain last year, with Mitchell Santner leading the side into his first ICC tournament.
Fixtures New Zealand (19 February, Karachi), India (23 February, Dubai), Bangladesh (27 February, Rawalpindi).
Fixtures Bangladesh (20 February, Dubai), Pakistan (23 February, Dubai), New Zealand (2 March, Dubai).
