Khairul Alam; Sports Desk | April 16, 2026 – For the visiting New Zealand cricketers, the transition from their home weather to Dhaka feels like moving from the poles to a desert. Just days ago, Tom Latham’s men were practicing in cool temperatures ranging from 7 Degree Celcious to 15 Degree Celcious .
Stepping into Dhaka’s 36 Degree Celcious sweltering heat has become a major challenge for the Kiwis.
New Zealand coach Paul Wiseman addressed the media after a practice session at Mirpur, acknowledging that the intense “Boishakhi” heat is effectively an additional opponent.
He expressed concerns about players getting exhausted under the fierce sun but emphasized that as a professional unit, they are mentally preparing to overcome this hurdle.
The squad arrived in Dhaka on Monday night and, after a day of rest, held their first practice session on Wednesday.
The session included a long fielding stint followed by batting practice against both pace and spin. Players were seen consuming massive amounts of water and energy drinks to stay hydrated.
“From a preparation standpoint, there isn’t much you can change in a day or two. We just have to adapt to the conditions and be ready for the heat,” Wiseman said. “The heat might also affect the pitch, making it slower.”
Despite being ranked second in the ICC ODI rankings, New Zealand has brought a second-string side to Bangladesh.
With 54 cricketers currently active globally in various franchise leagues and ‘A’ team tours, many stars are busy with the IPL and PSL.
However, Coach Wiseman remains optimistic about his squad’s ability to compete by adapting to the match situations and utilizing their spin and pace options effectively.