Taskin Ahmed to Nick Kelly, Stylish shot for no run. Pitched up the away angler, outside off. Kelly nicely drives but to cover. A good stop by Tawhid Hridoy.
Taskin Ahmed to Nick Kelly, Hits the hard length and on middle. Kelly fends it away to the leg side.
Shoriful Islam to Henry Nicholls, Pushes it full and around off. Henry Nicholls plays it back to Islam with soft hands.
Shoriful Islam to Henry Nicholls, Short and outside off. Henry leaves it alone.
Shoriful Islam to Henry Nicholls, Serves it touch fuller and around off, swinging back in. Henry Nicholls presses in front to defend but inside edges it onto the pads.
Shoriful Islam to Henry Nicholls, Serves it full and wide outside off. Henry Nicholls leans and drives it to point.
Shoriful Islam to Henry Nicholls, Hard length delivery, around off. Henry Nicholls hops and blocks it out.
Shoriful Islam to Henry Nicholls, Short of a length, around off. Henry Nicholls nudges it to mid-wicket.
Shoriful Islam to bowl from the other end.
Taskin Ahmed to Nick Kelly, On a good length and on middle and leg. Nick Kelly defends it out.
Taskin Ahmed to Henry Nicholls, Huge chance! Henry Nicholls gets a juicy full toss around off but hits it straight to mid off. He is late to respond to the run but takes off. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. He would have gone for all money.
Taskin Ahmed to Henry Nicholls, Short in length, around off. Henry Nicholls guides it to the left of gully. Taskin Ahmed has overstepped. A Free Hit to follow.
Taskin Ahmed to Henry Nicholls, A huge appeal for LBW but maybe just missing the stumps. On a good length, around off. It lands and moves back in slightly. Henry Nicholls presses across to defend but misses and gets hit high on the pads.
Taskin Ahmed to Henry Nicholls, Back of a length, around middle and off. Henry Nicholls blocks it on the deck.
Taskin Ahmed to Henry Nicholls, Hard length delivery, around off. Henry Nicholls taps it back to the bowler.
Taskin Ahmed to Henry Nicholls, Ahmed begins with a length ball, angling across the batter. Henry Nicholls shoulders arms.
Time for action. The Bangladeshi players are out in the middle. Nick Kelly and Henry Nicholls to open for New Zealand. Taskin Ahmed to bowl first. A slip in place. Let's go...
In a moving tribute on the field, BCB President Tamim Iqbal stood alongside his former teammate Rubel Hossain, who recently announced his retirement from cricket, to present him with a commemorative plaque and memento, after which an emotional Rubel shared a final message and knelt to touch the pitch one last time.
PITCH REPORT - HD Ackermann is pitchside and he reports that today's pitch features symmetrical side boundaries of 64 and 63 metres, with a longer 79-metre hit straight down the ground and a crosswind to consider. He observes that the surface has more grass than the previous match, which should help hold it together, though he warns that cracks may emerge if moisture isn't maintained. Overall, Ackermann expects this to be a superior batting surface compared to the first ODI.
Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz - Miraz views this must-win match as a significant opportunity, expressing confidence that his team can secure a victory if they perform to their potential. He describes the wicket as batting-friendly but believes the bowlers can restrict the opposition if they capitalize on chances and secure early wickets in the first ten overs. Miraz adds that he is counting on his bowlers to step up and bowl economically. Mehidy Hasan Miraz informs that they have a change from the previous XI with Afif Hossain being replaced by Soumya Sarkar.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham - Latham says that the surface appears slightly different than the previous match, the dry conditions underneath should offer similar characteristics. Tom adds that the team’s focus remains on playing the match in front of them, acknowledging that while a series win is within reach, much work remains to be done. Tom Latham informs that they are unchanged for this contest.
Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (WK), Tawhid Hridoy, Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (C), Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana.
New Zealand (Playing XI) - Henry Nicholls, Nick Kelly, Will Young, Tom Latham (C)(WK), Muhammad Abbas, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Jayden Lennox, Will O'Rourke.
TOSS - Tom Latham calls it right again and New Zealand will be batting first.
Kiwi pacer, Blair Tickner - Blair Tickner credits his success in the first ODI to New Zealand’s strategy of mixing up bowling options as the wicket became lower and slower. Blair adds that the team is enjoying the warmth and feels well supported by the staff in their preparation. Tickner reckons that he feels confident following the opening win, believing that their ability to adapt and take games deep is essential for the close contests expected in these conditions.