Bangladesh will be eying to keep them unbeaten in T20 format in this year when they take on New Zealand in the three-match series, starting on Wednesday.
The Tigers, so far, played three series this year and won all, marking their excellent progress in this format, in which they are always considered a vulnerable.
After a horrible T20 World Cup last year, Bangladesh sprung a surprise, sweeping three-match T20 series against mighty England at their own backyard in March.
Later, they won the three-match series against Ireland by 2-1 and beat Afghanistan by 2-0. Particularly the series victory against Afghanistan was a pleasing experience for them because they found them in wanting always against the Afghans in this format.
All of the series victory came at home den but now they are up against New Zealand in away condition. With next T20 World Cup approaching fast, experts believe the New Zealand series will be significant in testing their actual progress in this format.
Bangladesh, so far, played nine T20 matches on New Zealand soil against the Black Caps and lost all. But what would give them the confidence, they had already broken the deadlock in Test and ODI and now T20 remains the only format, where they need to break the shackle.
Bangladesh won their maiden Test here in last year and then when it looked that they would be unable to snap losing streak in ODI format, they found their Midas Touch in the last ODI, what was a dead rubber for them. But Bangladesh routed New Zealand by nine wickets after wrapping up them for just 98 runs. It also ended New Zealand's 17-match winning streak at home.
So emboldened by this landmark victory, Bangladesh are high on confidence to end their dismal run in T20 format also.
"We are very satisfied by the performance of the Bangladesh team in New Zealand. They are playing well in this series," BCB Cricket Operations Chairman Jalal Younus said.
"We have been trying to snap losing streak in New Zealand for a long time. Last year we won a Test there and now we won an ODI match. Hopefully it will give the players some confidence to do well in T20 series."
T20I series fixtures (Dhaka Time)
December 27: First T20I, Napier, 12.10pm
December 29: Second T20I, Mount Maunganui, 12.10pm
December 31: Third T20I, Mount Maunganui, 6am
