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Mirpur: New Zealand wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum believes his side will benefit from playing their World Cup quarterfinal in Dhaka despite recent painful defeats in the city.
The Black Caps take on formidable South Africa on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium, the same venue where they crashed to a 4-0 series defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in October last year.
But McCullum said the experience gained on that trip will hold New Zealand in good stead.
"It's a real positive for us," the 29-year-old said. "We have some good knowledge about the conditions in Dhaka and it will help us playing against South Africa in those conditions.
They would probably have wanted some pace and bounce in the wicket, but they won't get that. It is not a bad draw for us at all.
New Zealand failed to negotiate the Bangladeshi spinners on turning wickets in last year's series, but the pitches prepared at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium for the World Cup are more sporting.
McCullum dismissed suggestions that South Africa tended to choke in crunch matches, which would make it easier for the Black Caps.
"No, not really," he said. "From our point of view we should just focus on what we can achieve rather than focus on the opposition. If we can control that, hopefully South Africa will fall by the wayside.
They have got a good bunch of players, but we will obviously have to focus on guys like Kallis, de Villiers, Morkel and Steyn.
But I would like us to focus on what we can achieve over the next few days and get ready to give ourselves the best opportunity to win this game.
If we can play our best, it will give is a great opportunity to qualify for the semifinals.
McCullum was delighted that skipper Daniel Vettori was expected to be fit for the quarter-finals after missing the last two league matches against Canada and Sri Lanka.
The winner on Friday will clash with either Sri Lanka or England in the semifinals.
