Nahida Akter is into the attack. Bangladesh Women have a heavy spin attack and this pitch will aid the spinners. They should dictate terms.
Marufa Akter to Suzie Bates, Good end by Marufa Akter and Bangladesh Women have started well. Marufa Akter dishes out an inswinger on the fuller side and around off. Bates' head falls as she tries to flick but manages an inside edge onto the pads.
Marufa Akter to Suzie Bates, Suzie Bates is surviving here. Suzie Bates gets outside the crease, watches the length ball carefully and defends on the deck.
Marufa Akter to Suzie Bates, Touch fuller and around middle and off, shaping in. Suzie Bates steps across and blocks it out.
Suzie Bates has been given out LBW. She has a chat with Georgia Plimmer and takes it upstairs. A clear gap between bat and ball. Ball Tracking shows the impact is outside the line.
Marufa Akter to Suzie Bates, NOT OUT! Suzie Bates survives! Marufa Akter drags her length back by a bit, pulls out an inswinger just around off. Bates, in an awkward position, bends to play it all around but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW and up goes the finger. Review loads... Ball Tracking shows the impact is outside the line.
Marufa Akter to Suzie Bates, Much better! Fuller-length delivery, around off, inswinger. Bates steps across, gets across the line and pushes it to mid on.
Marufa Akter to Suzie Bates, WIDE! Marufa Akter is trying a touch too hard! Keeps it full but well over the tramline. Bates shoulders arms to it.
Marufa Akter to Suzie Bates, Marufa Akter gets it right this time! Bowls a sharp inswinger, fuller-length and angling on the pads. Bates looks to whip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.
Marufa Akter to Suzie Bates, NO BALL! That one slipped out of the hand. Marufa Akter throws one over the waist, wide outside off. Bates flat bats it to cover. Clearly a no ball. Free-hit next. New Zealand Women are underway.
Done with all the pre-match proceedings. It's time for cricket to take centre stage. Nigar Sultana Joty is giving a last-minute inspirational talk before her team spreads out in the field. Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer to open for New Zealand Women. Marufa Akter to bowl first. Look out for the swing. A slip in place. Let's play....
The flags of both nations unfurl in the middle as the two sets of players, followed by the match officials, line up for their national anthems. It will be Bangladesh's first, followed by that of the Kiwis.
PITCH REPORT - Stacy Ann King is pitchside. She says that there are a few cracks and batters will have to be cautious. The spinners will dominate here like they have done here before and if the bowlers bowl wicket to wicket, the batters will have a hard time.
Nigar Sultana Joty, the skipper of Bangladesh Women, says they are happy to bowl first as their bowlers are in good form. Reckons it is a good opportunity for them, as they are in a good note, they want to play their 'A' game, and feel they have the potential to win today. Informs that they have made two changes - Sumaiya Akter and Nishita Akter Nishi are in the XI.
The captain of New Zealand Women, Sophie Devine, says they will bat first as it is a used wicket. Mentions that they back themselves to put on a good score and put pressure on Bangladesh Women. Shares a lot of things have gone right for them. They just need to execute a bit better and do it for a longer period. Informs that they have made one change - Rosemary Mair comes in for Bree Illing.
Bangladesh Women (Playing XI) - Rubya Haider, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana Joty (C/WK), Sobhana Mostary, Sumaiya Akter (In for Ritu Moni), Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Nishita Akter Nishi (In for Shanjida Akther Maghla).
New Zealand Women (Playing XI) - Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (C), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Gaze (WK), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair (In for Bree Illing), Lea Tahuhu (100th ODI game), Eden Carson.
TOSS - New Zealand Women have won the toss and will BAT first!