New Zealand and Bangladesh will be facing each other in the third and final T20I match on the last day of 2023 as it is scheduled to be played on Sunday (December 31) at Bay Oval. The grand stage is set for an exhilarating encounter as New Zealand faces off against Bangladesh who are leading the series 1-0. This showdown promises to be a thrilling culmination to the T20 series between both teams. Bangladesh are eying a historic finish to the series after stumping New Zealand in the first game by five wickets.

The second match between both teams was washed out due to persistent rainfall. Both New Zealand and Bangladesh have been gearing up for this crucial match, looking to end the series on a high note, because Bangladesh are eying the series while New Zealand are looking forward to levelling the series. Bangladesh had created history by winning against New Zealand in the first game as it was their first win against New Zealand in New Zealand in a T20I match. 

Bangladesh, known to possess skilled spin bowlers, would aim to make a statement by clinching victory in the series decider. New Zealand, on the other hand would want to end the series on a happy note. The match will start at 5:30 AM (IST). 

Pitch report

The pitch at the Bay Oval is friendly to both batters and bowlers, however, pitch inclines to favour bowlers as the game progresses. Meanwhile, the captain, winning the toss would decide to bat or bowl, will depend on the condition at that time. Whichever team decides to bat first, batters would certainly look to score as quickly as possible while taking advantage of the pitch. 

New Zealand Probable XI: Finn Allen/Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears

Bangladesh Probable XI: Soumya Sarkar, Rony Talukdar (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman