New Zealand Predicted Playing XI vs Bangladesh- 2nd T20I, NZ tour of BAN 2026

NZ strongest XI vs BAN, 2nd T20I [Source: AFP]New Zealand take on Bangladesh in the second T20I of the ongoing three-match T20I series in Chattogram on April 29 at 1:30 PM (IST), as they look to square the series, having lost the opening match on Monday afternoon.In the absence of Tom Latham, who suffered a laceration in toenail after being hit in the nets, Nick Kelly was handed the responsibility as the Kiwis' newest T20I captain. They were put in to bat and managed a healthy total of 182/6 after 20 overs. However, Bangladesh's middle-order blitz, led by Towhid Hridoy's 51*(27), took the hosts past the target with 2 overs spare.As the teams lock horns again at the same venue, we take a look at New Zealand's strongest XI for the 2nd T20I.New Zealand's predicted XI vs Bangladesh- NZ tour of BAN, 2026, 2nd T20ITop Order: Katene Clarke, Tim Robinson, Dane Cleaver (wk)Katene Clarke will continue to open the batting after his crucial 51 off 37, with 7 fours and a six, in the series opener, following the loss of his opening partner for a golden duck. It was his maiden T20I fifty, and his T20 career numbers of 1500+ runs at 143.24 with 7 fifties and two hundreds show promise to build upon.The 24-year-old Tim Robinson, their most experienced T20I player in the current team, will open the batting with Clarke, with no positive update on Tom Latham. He scored a duck in the first match but has enough credits to his name with 642 T20I runs with 2 fifties and a hundred to his name, striking at 136.01.Wicketkeeper batter, Dane Cleaver, who returned to the New Zealand team after nearly three years, recently scored 51(28) with 7 fours and a six in the last match. He will retain his spot at number 3 again.Also Read: Najmul Shanto Injury Update Issued By BCB Before Bangladesh Vs Pakistan TestsMiddle Order: Nick Kelly (c), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan SmithThe captain, Nick Kelly, who was given the leadership role, becoming the 13th T20I skipper for the Blackcaps, will continue to bat at number 4 after his cameo of 39(27) with five fours and a six. He will share the middle order with the promising 23-year-old Auckland, Bevon Jacobs, who has an impressive career strike rate of 145.73 in T20s for 1042 runs in 40 innings.The three all-rounders, who will share the responsibility to finish the innings, will be Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson and Nathan Smith.Foxcroft, with over 1700 T20 runs, showed his batting prowess in the ODIs and can chip in with off-spin as well. Josh Clarkson, who can be used as a floater, has a T20 career strike rate of 141.40 with over 2000 runs and also added 27* (14) in the last T20I to help NZ finish strong.Nathan Smith, who will predominantly play as a bowler, can also add crucial runs in case his team needs him, while bowling in the powerplay and the death overs.Bowlers: Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister, Ben SearsThe experienced leg-spinner, Ish Sodhi, equalled Tim Southee's record for the most T20I wickets for New Zealand in the last match after his 2/40. As he looks to overtake Southee, he will be the lead spinner of the attack once again on Wednesday.Ben Lister, who bowled an economical spell of 0/23 in his four overs in the first T20I, will keep his place in the team over Matthew Fisher, who went for plenty as Bangladesh chased down 183 runs with two overs left.Ben Sears, who completed his PSL 2026 stint with the Rawalpindiz could come in place for Fisher and provide experience to the bowling unit, as he closes in on his 100 T20 scalps.New Zealand Playing XI vs Bangladesh, 2nd T20I-Katene Clarke, Tim Robinson, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly (c), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister, Ben Sears.Also Read: ICC Rewards South Africa Captain; Smriti Mandhana Demoted In T20I Rankings