Bangladesh chose to bowl vs New Zealand

Bangladesh and New Zealand got a taste of what they should be ready for in a World Cup year: a truncated clash, reduced to 10-overs a side, after intermittent rain delayed the toss for close to two hours in Auckland. When they finally got out to toss, Liton Das, leading Bangladesh for the first time in competitive cricket, called correctly and then elected to bowl as the visitors look to take at least one win back home after an ODI series whitewash.

Regular captain Mahmudullah was ruled out of the fixture due to a strained left thigh muscle. Bangladesh made two other changes, leaving out Mohammed Mithun and Mohammad Saifuddin for Mosaddek Hossain and Najmul Hossain. Rubel Hossain, the fast bowler, was the third inclusion.

New Zealand, who recorded an unprecedented ninth straight home series win two nights ago, handed Todd Astle, the legspinner, his first opportunity in the series. He comes in for Ish Sodhi in what is a like-for-like change. Lockie Ferguson, who was rested for the second T20I, came back in for Hamish Bennett.

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das (capt, wk), Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Rubel Hossain, Nasum Ahmed.

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Finn Allen, Devon Conway(wl), Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee (capt), Adam Milne, Todd Astle, Lockie Ferguson