The Bangladesh cricket team toured New Zealand between 19 December 2007 and 16 January 2008 to play three one day internationals (ODIs) and two Test matches. This was the second Bangladeshi tour to New Zealand (the first being their 2001–02 tour) and the third series between the two countries following New Zealand's 2004–05 tour to Bangladesh. The teams also met in the pool stage of the 2003 Cricket World Cup and at the Super 8 stage of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
New Zealand whitewashed Bangladesh in both the ODI and Test series, leaving them still searching for their first win against New Zealand in an official match. They did beat New Zealand in a warm-up match for the 2007 World Cup; however this was not recognised as an official match. Similarly, Bangladesh beat a New Zealand XI on this tour but, as this was not an official New Zealand team, it did not count as an official match either.
New Zealand cricket team
At the start of the series, New Zealand were ranked third in the ICC ODI Championship and seventh in the ICC Test Championship. Prior to this series, the New Zealand team had toured South Africa, losing the test series 2–0 and the ODI series 2–1; and Australia, where they lost the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series 2–0.
Bangladesh cricket team
Bangladesh were ranked ninth in the ODI championship and ninth in the test championship. Their previous outing was in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 championships where they reached the Super 8 stage. Their most recent series was their 2007 tour to Sri Lanka where they lost both the Test and ODI series 3–0.
Squads
Following New Zealand's losses in South Africa and Australia, three players from the touring squad – Lou Vincent, Michael Mason and Gareth Hopkins – were released to return to their provincial teams in order to give them playing time in the State Shield. Peter Fulton, who had missed the two tours due to having knee surgery, was included in the squad after showing good form in the four-day State Championship competition. Mason was called back into the squad for the third ODI as cover for Mark Gillespie who injured his left shoulder bowling in the second match.
Bangladesh named opener Junaid Siddique, uncapped at One Day International level, in their squad while recalling fast bowler Nazmul Hossain after impressive domestic performances. Injuries to Tushar Imran and Syed Rasel resulted in Rajin Saleh and Sajidul Islam being added to the squad prior to the series.
New Zealand recalled opening batsman Matthew Bell to the Test squad, dropping Michael Papps, Scott Styris, and Ross Taylor from the squad that had travelled to South Africa. Peter Fulton was also recalled with Jeetan Patel set to join the squad for the second Test, and Mark Gillespie ready to take his place if he were to recover from a shoulder injury.
Bangladesh called up Habibul Bashar, Shahriar Nafees, and Enamul Haque junior, while Javed Omar, Tushar Imran, Nazmul Hossain, and Mehrab Hossain junior returned home.
Tour matches
Northern Districts (Game 1)
Bangladesh's first game on tour was a one-day match against the State Shield side Northern Districts. They lost two early wickets, both caught behind, before captain Mohammed Ashraful and debutant Junaid Siddique steadied the innings. Having reached 121 for two after 32 overs, they then lost five wickets for just 56 runs before lower-order batsmen Farhad Reza and Mashrafe Mortaza saw the innings through to 222. In response, Nick Horsley made a career-best 92 from 99 balls which, along with a quick-fire 55 from 39 balls by James Marshall, was enough to see Northern Districts win comfortably.
Bangladesh suffered a further setback during the game, with opening bowler Syed Rasel injuring his collarbone while fielding. Sajidul Islam was flown into the squad as a replacement after it was determined Rasel had dislocated the left collarbone.
Northern Districts (Game 2)
The second tour match, also against Northern Districts, was eventually abandoned due to rain. After early rain had forced the match to be reduced to 41 overs per innings, Northern won the toss, decided to bat and made 173 for seven. Although they did not get a chance to bat, Bangladesh's bowling and fielding efforts were noticeably better than in the first game.
Auckland
The third game on tour was against another provincial side, Auckland. Having won the toss, Bangladesh chose to bat; and opener Tamim Iqbal scored a century. In response, Auckland overhauled Bangladesh's total of 242 with ease, with Richard Jones top-scoring with 85 not out and each of the batsmen hitting at least one six in their innings.