After the second One Day International, New Zealand batter Nick Kelly said his team took too long to understand the pitch conditions and lost wickets at crucial moments, which led to their defeat against Bangladesh. He explained that early grass on the wicket made batting difficult, and losing partnerships at critical stages proved costly for the visitors.

Kelly praised Bangladesh’s bowlers, noting that they performed well and were aided by the pitch. He specifically mentioned young pacer Nahid Rana, describing him as talented and quick, and said the wicket conditions suited him. Kelly contrasted his comments with teammate Dean Foxcroft’s earlier statement after the first match, when Foxcroft had said they understood the wicket well.

With this loss, the three-match series is now level at 1–1, turning the final game in Chattogram into a virtual decider. Kelly expressed hope that New Zealand could recover and win the series in the last match.