Bangladesh aim to bounce back in 2nd ODI vs New Zealand

Smarting from the series opener loss against the hosts, Bangladesh are eyeing a comeback in the second match of the three-match ODI series in Nelson on Wednesday.

Ahead of the crucial clash, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha expressed optimism about the good weather conditions in Nelson and their desire to level the series. He acknowledged their batting shortcomings in the rain-affected first match, where top-order starts weren't converted into substantial scores.

"The wicket looks good for cricket," Chandika said. "The outfield is great and fast."

Bangladesh's white-ball cricket has never known victory in New Zealand. Before this series, stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto declared their intention to rewrite history.

However, bad weather was blamed by Chandika for disrupting their plans in the first match. "We got a good start, but the rain ruined our plan. We have no control over the weather," he asserted.

The absence of regular captain Shakib Al Hasan is a significant void. Injured and involved in election campaigning for the next general election, Shakib's leadership and all-round skills are sorely missed.

In his absence, the team surprisingly entrusted Soumya Sarkar with the task. But he failed to deliver in the first match.

"I don't know what's going on with Soumya," Chandika admitted when questioned about his lean performance. "We need someone who can contribute with both bat and ball."

Rishad Hossain, a leg spinner with handy batting ability, might be considered for the next match. Chandika hinted at Rishad's potential inclusion in the first game but ultimately opted for a different combination.