Dhaka: Bangladesh will face New Zealand in the 1st ODI of their three-match series at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Monday.

The match will begin at 4:00am tonight (Bangladesh time).

The Tigers will mostly relay on the performance of their senior players, including skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, dashing opener Tamim Iqbal and wicketkeeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, as well as on a unit of promising but underexposed youngsters for any away series -- Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Tanbir Hayder and Mehedi Hasan -- by example.

For Bangladesh, the greatest positive is the return of Mustafizur Rahman, who impressed with 2/39 in the warm-up game against New Zealand XI on December 22 to resume his wicket haul mastery as well as proved his match fitness against the Blake Caps. It was his first competitive game after a five-month layoff, which included shoulder surgery.

The 21-year-old left-arm seamer, reputed for his decietful cutters and subtle variations, has been the key to Bangladesh's recent ODI successes at home and will look to continue in the same vein, spurred on by the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award he got last week.

On the only occasion he bowled against New Zealand, in the World T20 in March, Mustafizur took a five-wicket haul. Bangladesh had to make do without him for nine months and would welcome his return, although they would be wary of overworking the lanky. Mustafizur had to undergo surgery on his left shoulder in July and was yet to test his bowling and throwing arm in international cricket.

Among their 25 ODIs, Bangladesh secured victories against New Zealand in eight occasions and all on home soil since 1990. Bangladesh whitewashed New Zealand twice, first in a four-match series in October 2010 and later in a three-match series in October-November 2013.     

Bangladesh faced New Zealand in an ODI game last in the ICC World Cup in March 2015 at Seddon Park in Hamilton where the Tigers conceded a three-wicket defeat despite Mahmudullah’s unbeaten century of 128 runs.

Bangladesh last played an ODI abroad in the ICC World Cup in March 2015 against India while played last bilateral ODI series against West Indies in August 2014. 

In the other camp, Neil Broom is likely to take Henry Nicholls' place at number four, and Luke Ronchi can replace BJ Watling behind the stumps. Matt Henry and James Neesham will face competition from Lockie Ferguson and Colin de Grandhomme for the third seamer and all-rounder's positions respectively.

Bangladesh squad (probable): Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mosaddek Hossain, Tanbir Hayder/Mehedi Hasan, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (captain), Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.

New Zealand squad (probable): Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (captain), Neil Broom, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry/ Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult.