New Zealand captain Tom Latham expressed confidence in winning the upcoming series against Bangladesh, even though his team is composed largely of second-string players. Many of New Zealand’s regular cricketers are currently engaged in franchise leagues, while several ‘A’ team members are also unavailable. Speaking at a pre-series press conference in Mirpur on April 16, 2026, Latham said the team’s main goal is to win the series and emphasized the need to learn and improve with each match.

Latham acknowledged that several players in the current squad have limited experience playing in subcontinental conditions. He noted that the more they play in Bangladesh, the better it will be for their development. He added that if the team can learn and adapt, they might create an opportunity to win by the end of the series. Historically, New Zealand has had mixed results in Bangladesh, winning seven and losing eight of their 16 ODIs there.

Latham also highlighted the responsibility of experienced players like himself to guide younger teammates and help them adjust to local conditions during the series.