2nd T20I, Mount Maunganui, December 29, 2023, 11:40 AM
New Zealand
72/2(11.0ov)
Bangladesh
Match Abandoned
Right then, the washout in this game means that Bangladesh cannot lose this series and will have another chance to seal it in the third match while the Kiwis will hope they can at least finish on level terms. The 3rd T20I will be played on 31st December, Sunday at 5.30 am IST (12 am GMT), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
Bad news folks! The inevitable has happened as the umpires have decided to call this game off due to the persistent rain. Even though, New Zealand Finn Allen early again, they got off to a flashy start with Tim Seifert smashing a quick-fire 43 off just 23 balls while the other batters struggled. Daryl Mitchell was not timing the ball at all and got lucky on a couple of occasions and Glenn Phillips looked unsettled as well. Bangladesh recovered well after the Powerplay through their spinners, who bowled economically. However, Shoriful Islam was once again excellent and provided them with an early breakthrough and Tanzim Hasan Sakib also got one, but they were pretty ordinary in the field and dropped a few good chances and they will need to be much better in the next game. We could get only 10 overs in this game where New Zealand were at 72/2, and unfortunately, the rain gods showed no mercy and we could not get any further action.
UPDATE - 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT) - No good news yet again. The time is running out and the forecast isn't very promising. According to the calculations, if at all the match starts, Bangladesh will have to chase down 46 in 5 overs and 85 in 10 overs, whatever is possible with the time left in hand. The fourth official is out on the field with an Umbrella. We might hear something soon.
UPDATE - 1.20 pm IST (7.50 am GMT) - The rain is still strong and the covers are intact. The most expected start can be a 5-over run chase but other than that, it looks done for the day. The latest the game can start is 2.58 pm IST (9.28 am GMT).
UPDATE - 1 pm IST (7.30 am GMT) - The rain has not stopped and the covers are still on as we all play the waiting game. In other new news, Australia have won the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in fine fashion.
Oh..no! The rain has got pretty heavy now and the umpires have finally decided to call for the covers. The players are going off and this break could help the Kiwis as their batters were really struggling out there. Stick with us for further updates.
In over# 11
1
1
0
1
0
2
Rishad Hossain 10/0(3)
10.6
1
Tossed up outside the off stump line. Glenn Phillips slaps the ball hard to sweepers for a single to end the over and as we see, the rain is gaining momentum.
10.5
1
Good piece of fielding yet again from Bangladesh. Fullish delivery on the stumps. Daryl Mitchell lofts it straight down the pitch. But good cover from the long on fielder, Soumya Sarkar, comes chasing the ball and saves the boundary with a diving stop.
10.4
.
Tosses it up outside the off stump line. Daryl Mitchell looks to slap it hard but buts in inside edge onto his pads. No run.
10.3
1
Full length again just outside off. Glenn Phillips drills it crisply to the left of wide extra cover, but the fielder makes a stop.
10.2
.
Just short outside the off-stump line. Glenn Phillips looks to cut the ball hard but gets an inside edge onto the ground and too the wicket keeper.
10.1
2
Fullish delivery just outside off. Glenn Phillips takes his front foot out and drives the ball to the right of the point to get a couple of runs.
DRINKS! After the first 10 overs the game looks balanced. Bangladesh have bowled really well after the Power Play and have given only 16 runs in 4 overs. Daryl Mitchell is still out there battling hard with the ball and the rain. It's all happening at the half way of the first innings. Let's see what unfolds ahead.
In over# 10
1
1
1
0
0
1
Mustafizur Rahman 16/0(2)
9.6
1
Back of a length and on off, Glenn Phillips flashes it past the bowler for one.
9.5
1
DROPPED! This one was fuller just outside off, slower too, Daryl Mitchell mistimes his swipe uppishly towards long on. The ball was going flat towards the fielder. He charges the ball and dives forward but fails to grab it. They cross. How many lives will Daryl Mitchell get tonight!
9.4
1
Overpitched and on off, Glenn Phillips knocks it towards mid off for a run.
9.3
.
Length delivery on stump. Glenn Phillips defends back to the left of the bowler. Mustafizur Rahman dives to his left to stop the single.
9.2
.
Fuller one and around off, Glenn Phillips drives it firmly but straight to short covers.