New Zealand vs Bangladesh: Tigers still lead series after rain washes out 2nd T20I in Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui, New Zealand: Rain washed out the second Twenty20 international between New Zealand and Bangladesh after only 11 overs Friday, leaving Bangladesh with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The match began on time and New Zealand was 72-2 after 11 overs when the heavy rain which had fallen throughout the day in this seaside city returned to Bay Oval. The third match of the series will be played at the same venue on Sunday. Bangladesh won the toss Friday and sent New Zealand in as it did in the first match of the series, which it won by five wickets for its first ever T20 win over New Zealand in New Zealand.

And that's that! Unfortunately, the 2nd @BLACKCAPS v Bangladesh T20I at Bay Oval in Tauranga has been officially called off due to the rain 😢☔

Blackcaps v Bangladesh: 3rd T20I | Sunday from 12.30pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ pic.twitter.com/TsZoLLfRJm

— TVNZ+ (@TVNZ) December 29, 2023

Finn Allen again fell early, dismissed in the second over, but Tim Seifert struck six fours and a six in a quickfire innings of 43 from 23 balls. Bangladesh had begun to curtail the New Zealand run rate when the rain returned. Players left the field at 8 p.m. and umpires called off the match just before 10 p.m. when not even a five over shootout was possible.