New Zealand-Bangladesh T20 abandoned due to rain

Heavy rain forced the second of three Twenty20 internationals between hosts New Zealand and Bangladesh to be called off Friday, with the home team on 72-2 after 11 overs.

Bangladesh lead the series 1-0 after their bowlers ran riot in the opening match last Wednesday, paving the way to a five-wicket victory in Napier.

It was the visitors' first T20 win over the Black Caps in New Zealand.

Having put the Black Caps into bat under overcast skies at Mount Maunganui on Friday, Bangladesh struck early when opener Finn Allen was caught in the second over with New Zealand on nine for one.

Tim Seifert smashed 43 off 23 balls before being caught to end his second-wicket partnership of 49 with Daryl Mitchell before rain started to fall.

Bangladesh may seal their first series win in New Zealand in any format on Sunday when the third and final T20 is also held at Mount Maunganui.

NEW ZEALAND: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (capt), Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears

BANGLADESH: Soumya Sarkar, Rony Talukdar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib