New Zealand's desire for a confidence-boosting limited overs series against Bangladesh, starting on Monday, has been tempered by the need to ease the workloads of Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

Bangladesh have not won a single match in their previous visits to New Zealand. So, ahead of their latest bout against the Black Caps that starts with the Boxing Day ODI at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday, questions were asked about whether the Tigers could end the long-standing jinx this time around.

Pakistan say they have the momentum heading into the Boxing Day Melbourne Test after giving Australia a mighty fright during an epic run-chase in the opening clash of the series.

Pakistan spearhead Mohammad Amir is expected to play the Boxing Day Test against Australia despite stiffness and a bruised thigh, officials said Thursday.

The result of Bangladesh's tour match against New Zealand XI at the Cobham Oval in Whangarei yesterday was a three-wicket defeat for the tourists, but it was a fruitful outing for Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's team ahead of the first ODI at Christchurch on Boxing Day.

Pakistan spearhead Mohammad Amir is expected to play the Boxing Day Test against Australia despite stiffness and a bruised thigh, officials said Thursday.

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has won the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award. In the period under consideration, Mustafizur played three ODIs and took eight wickets, while he yielded 19 wickets in 10 T20Is.

Bangladesh's bowling department has been significantly boosted for their tour of New Zealand. Talented left arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman has been included in the 15-strong squad, who start the limited-overs leg of their tour with the first ODI at Christchurch on Boxing Day.

England captain Alastair Cook heads home for Christmas with calls for his resignation ringing in his ears after what turned into an embarrassing subcontinental tour.

Australia head to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan with some festive cheer after winning the series opener in Brisbane but Steve Smith's side will not find many Christmas presents under the tree from local media.

India's makeshift opening pair of Lokesh Rahul and Parthiv Patel struck fifties to lead the hosts' strong reply to England's first innings total of 477 on day three of the fifth and final Test on Sunday.

Things got heated between Pakistan bowlers Yasir Shah and Wahab Riaz on the eve of the first Test against Australia but the pair have put to bed any ideas of a rift.

The England and Indian training sessions were cancelled Wednesday owing to unfit ground conditions at the MA Chidambaram stadium in cyclone-battered Chennai which hosts the fifth and final Test from Friday.

A rampant India will look to create history in the fifth and final Test against England from Friday by piling more misery on Alastair Cook in what could be his last outing as the tourists' skipper.

National selector Habibul Bashar hopes that the National Cricket League (NCL), the country's first first-class cricket competition which is set to resume on December 20, takes place in 'proper conditions.'

England captain Alastair Cook said Monday Joe Root was ready to take over as skipper but that no decision on his own future would be taken until the new year.

Bangladesh are giving themselves every chance of making a decent fist of their tour to New Zealand starting on Boxing Day.

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin tore through England's lower order Monday as the hosts won the fourth Test in Mumbai by an innings and 36 runs, clinching the series 3-0.

Australia have been a "closer" team since former head coach Mickey Arthur made way for Darren Lehmann, according to pace spearhead Mitchell Starc.

The Bangladesh national team will be availing the services of a wicket-keeping specialist during their 10-day preparatory camp in Australia.