Chance for Bangladesh to show improved mindset in must-win

Match facts

December 29, 2016 Start time 1100 local (2200 GMT)

Big Picture

New Zealand have a chance to seal the three-match ODI series in the second game at the Saxton Oval, but their opponents will not be willing to just keel over after having travelled so far. While Bangladesh were convincingly outplayed in Christchurch by 77 runs, their mentality as a team has changed significantly over the last two years and now they will need to cling to that positive approach in a crunch game away from home.

Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan will once again have to show the eagerness to fight against the short ball. Mosaddek Hossain, Imrul Kayes and Sabbir Rahman also looked relatively comfortable against that length in the series opener, but will have to be more patient in seeing themselves through the initial roughhousing.

Mushfiqur Rahim will be missed; he has been ruled out with a hamstring injury for at least two weeks. He will be replaced by debutant Nurul Hasan.

Bangladesh’s bigger concern will be their bowling in high-scoring Nelson, especially after they conceded 341 runs in the first game. Mashrafe Mortaza and his pace-bowling group have to bowl better lengths, while Shakib could be given a specialist spinner to partner given the slower nature of this pitch.

New Zealand will have to tackle the spin threat; some of them looked sluggish in their footwork in game one, others were a bit too eager. While Neil Broom and Jimmy Neesham played back to slightly fuller deliveries from Shakib, Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill …

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