New Zealand are all set to face Bangladesh in the second T20I of their three-match series that is scheduled to take place at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Friday. Bangladesh enters the contest with the confidence of a five-wicket victory in the series opener and will be eager to sustain their winning streak.

Mahedi Hasan emerged as a standout performer for Bangladesh in the initial T20I, securing two crucial wickets and contributing a significant 19 runs during the run chase. In contrast, despite Jimmy Neesham‘s resilient 48-run innings, New Zealand suffered a defeat in the previous encounter.

The upcoming match holds significant importance for the Blackcaps, as they find themselves in a must-win situation, striving to level the series. Conversely, Bangladesh is resolute in establishing an unassailable lead, adding an extra layer of intensity to the impending battle at Bay Oval.

T20 Stats and Records at Bay Oval:

• Total matches: 15
• Matches won batting first: 11
• Matches won bowling first: 2
• Average first innings scores: 160
• Average second innings scores: 136
• Highest total recorded: 243/5 (20 Overs) by New Zealand vs West Indies
• Lowest total recorded: 90/10 (19.4 Overs) by West Indies Women vs New Zealand Women
• Highest score chased: 117/1 (12.2 Overs) by New Zealand Women vs South Africa Women
• Lowest score defended: 124/5 (20 Overs) by New Zealand Women vs West Indies Women

Bay Oval Pitch Report

Renowned for its even playing field, Bay Oval provides batters with an opportunity to score significant runs in the initial innings, thanks to favorable bounce and shorter boundaries. Nevertheless, as the match advances, the pitch tends to decelerate, tilting the advantage towards bowlers during the later stages of the game. Considering historical performances, the team captain, upon winning the toss, is likely to opt for batting first to capitalize on the favorable conditions.

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Mount Maunganui Weather Forecast

The atmospheric conditions at Mount Maunganui for the upcoming clash between New Zealand and Bangladesh are rather ominous, with a 75% chance of rainfall. Nevertheless, cricket enthusiasts can still anticipate an exciting match, braving potential interruptions from the rain deities. The temperature is forecasted to settle around 22 degrees, complemented by a considerable humidity level of 92% and a breezy 24 kmph wind. These elements are poised to subtly influence the bowling conditions, adding an intriguing dimension to the game.

New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 2nd T20I, Probable Playing XI:

New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears

Bangladesh: Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Rony Talukdar, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

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