New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 2nd T20I at Mount Maunganui, NZ v BDESH, Dec 29 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary

10pm A game that promised so much ends up as a damp squib (quite literally). The series is not done, though. Far from it actually. New Zealand, because of today's result (or lack thereof), now cannot win it but they would love nothing more than to restore parity on December 31, while Bangladesh will have another shot at a historic series victory on Sunday.

That game is slated to take place at the Bay Oval too, and fingers crossed the weather is much better and we get a definitive result, one way or the other. Until then, this is me, Shashwat, signing off on behalf of Sudeep and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Goodbye and take care!

9:55pm Right, folks. That will be that. The rain has won, and the umpires have pulled the plug on this second T20I. The match has been called off, officially. For what it is worth, it is still pouring at the Bay Oval.

9:25pm Not a lot to report, again. We are slowly running out of time to get a game going, and the forecast does not look very promising either. The grass banks are also completely empty and everyone has retreated into cover. The fourth umpire is walking out but he has his umbrella up.

Meanwhile, as we wait for some news here in Mount Maunganui, there's some cricket happening in neighbouring Australia as the Melbourne Renegades look for their first BBL win of the season against the Adelaide Strikers. You can follow that game here.

8:55pm For all of you asking in the comments, if this turns into a five-over chase for Bangladesh, the target will be 46. If it is a ten-over chase, the target will be 85. We are still far away from that stage, though, with the rain still falling.

8:45pm Nothing new to report at this stage, unfortunately. We are hearing word that 10:28pm local time is the latest they can start a five-over run-chase. We will try to get confirmation of this as soon as possible. The grass banks are a lot emptier than they were half an hour ago, and that is a sign that the rain has not relented.

8:20pm The rain continues to fall. While we wait for play to resume here, there is some high-quality Test action unfolding elsewhere in the southern hemisphere. Australia are now just one wicket away from taking a 2-0 series lead - catch up on all the action here.

8:10pm The pitch and the run-ups were covered initially but now the big cover is on too, covering the square.

8:05pm The covers are firmly in place, and there are dark clouds hovering above the Bay Oval. The breeze, though, could help blowing the rain away. For now, it is a waiting game...

Kawsar: "Is Mitchell struggling or Bangladesh bowling well? Apparently he is been uncharacteristically quiet today" -- A bit of both, actually. He has not been able to get into his usual rhythm, and Bangladesh have not given him any freebies to rediscover his mojo either

8:01pm Right. The rain has gotten heavier and the umpires have decided to take the players off. NZ might not mind this break, given how both of these batters have struggled so far

Mitchell 17 off 23 now

Rishad, who has given away only five runs in two overs, will bowl his third on the trot

Bangladesh have done brilliantly to keep the scoring rate in check, despite Seifert blazing away to a 23-ball 43. Mitchell is really struggling out there, and this drinks break might just give him some time to recalibrate his approach

Umbrellas going up on the grass banks again, and the drizzle seems to have returned. The umpires are okay to continue for now, even as Mitchell and Phillips have a long chat in the middle of the pitch. Mitchell, clearly, wants to go off but he does not get his wish because the rain has stopped. Here we go again!

The Fizz is back for his second

Rishad to continue