Image Credit- AFP
In the second Twenty20 International between
Bangladesh and New Zealand at Mount Maunganui, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto
chose to chase after winning the toss due to the forecast of rain later in the
evening. After winning the first Twenty20 international two nights prior,
Bangladesh is now looking to win a historic T20I series in New Zealand by five
wickets.
Litton Das was forced to sit out of the starting XI
due to a muscular issue, therefore Bangladesh had to make one change. The
left-hand batter Shamim Hossain will take his place. Rony Talukdar is the
front-runner to wear the gloves in Litton’s absence.
Using the same lineup, New Zealand batted first,
starting with four right-handers and then three left-handers from Nos. 5 to 7.
To support their bowling attack, they have two spinners, three pacers, and a
variety of spin-and-pace part-timers. Rachin Ravindra did not fit in here.
All day, Mount Maunganui has had inconsistent weather.
Although there were brief periods of rain in the morning and afternoon, the
clouds broke up in time for the warm-up. But there can be more disruptions in
the evening. According to reports, the pitch is a “balanced” surface
that provides enough appeal for batters and bowlers alike.
The second T20I today and the third T20I on the
morning of December 31 are New Zealand and Bangladesh’s last two games of the
calendar year. They will both be played in Mt Maunganui with the hosts aiming
to launch a come-from-behind series win after going 1-0 down in Napier.
New Zealand XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Daryl
Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (capt),
Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears.
Bangladesh XI: Rony Talukdar (wk), Soumya Sarkar,
Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain,
Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur
Rahman.