DHAKA, Dec 16, 2023 (BSS)-Bangladesh stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto

expected Soumya Sarkar to fill the shoes of Shakib Al Hasan in the three-
match ODI series against New Zealand as they are looking to secure a series
for the first time here in Down Under.

Shakib Al Hasan, the regular captain of the side, was ruled out of the series
following a finger injury sustained during World Cup, paving Soumya's way to
return to the side.

Shanto believes Soumya's bowling along with his batting could be a good
weapon on New Zealand soil.

"Soumya's role will be very important, at least on New Zealand soil," Shanto
told the reporters in New Zealand at a pre-match conference as the three-
match series opening ODI will be held tomorrow (Sunday) in Dunedin.

"His bowling in this condition will be handy while his batting could give us
the expected balance," he added.

A Shakib-sized void is always tough to be plugged but Soumya's record didn't
give out a rosy picture to bet on him. He scored just 139 runs in nine ODIs
in New Zealand with just one half-century, and made 174 runs in eight T20Is
with one fifty-the stat in two formats, which Bangladesh would play in this
tour looked utterly dismal.

But his Test record is excellent-he made 320 runs in three Tests at a
staggering average of 53.33 and a strike rate of 74.59. He had hit one
century and one half-century on New Zealand backyard. The Test record of
Soumya in New Zealand could make anyone in the world envious.

"He has the experience and know how to play in this condition," Shanto said.
"As Shakib is not here, I think selectors included him keeping all those
things in mind," he added.

Soumya came back to the ODI team after a two-and-a-half years hiatus in the
home series against the Black Caps in September but was left out from the
World Cup squad.

As he was recalled for this series, it is likely that he would take the place
of injured Shakib in the playing eleven. He also reinforced his case by
hitting 59 off 51 against the New Zealand XI as Bangladesh won the game by 26
runs. However he went wicketless in his four overs while conceding 25.

Bangladesh lost all of their 16 ODIs and nine T20Is on New Zealand soil so
far. But Shanto is keen to change those stat in the upcoming series.

"To be honest, as a team, our goal is to win both of the series here. Our
team has been playing excellent cricket lately. Last year, we had won a Test
here. Now our target is to win the ODI and T20 series. If we can do so, it
would be tremendous for us," Shanto said.

He rather relies on their familiarity about the New Zealand players after
playing against them frequently in the last six years.

"We have known most of the cricketers of New Zealand. A few of them are
completely new but we have collected their footage. During the team
discussion, we'll definitely talk about them and will try to devise a good
plan," he remarked.